Russellville High School Math teacher, Jeremy Bivins, teaches his Senior students financial fundamentals. On the morning of Feb. 5, Mr. Bivins’s met each of his first period students with a life-like scenario. They had a monthly income and were given a number of children to support. The seniors went on to choose whether they would “marry” another student and combine incomes and children. Each student strove to obtain a balanced budget. The income amount they received had to cover the following expenses: mortgage or rent payment with either home or renters’ insurance; car payment, insurance, and maintenance costs; internet, cable, and phone bills; utilities, household supplies, and groceries; entertainment and eating out; medicine and health expenses; clothing and childcare; and student loans. The seniors had to work on their budget until they could cover their expenses--balance their budget--or have money left over. They were actively and enthusiastically involved in this real-life exercise. Russellville Independent Schools are grateful to have this quality of teachers to help equip our students for life.
(Article by Vicky Mathis and Matthew Williams - pictured: Donovan Taylor, Keeler Kemp, Tristan Stratton, and Zach Baker - see additional photos on our facebook page)