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Whitharral
ISD Success Story
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KidzBANK – A GREAT SUCCESS STORY!!!!!!!!!!!
 Whitharral ISD, a school system in the small West Texas town of Whitharral (just outside of Lubbock) has created a very successful program for their students that any school district in the country would be proud to call their own. Not only does this school offer KidzBANK, but they also provide student participation in a school store and post office. The post office is run by the third grade, the store by the 4th grade and the KidzBANK, which is called Pantherville Bank, is run by the 5th grade. All of these functions reside in a storefront that has been assembled in the school.
This Pantherville KidzBANK program has depositors from all grades and is operated by 5 fifth grade students. A board of directors, chosen by the teachers, hires the student employees and students who want to work in the bank must fill out an application and go through an interview process to get a job. The bank is open for part of two days each week, and during that time students make deposits as low as $.50 and as high as $50.00, although the average deposit is $2.00. After each day that the bank is open, a single deposit is made in the Pantherville account at the local bank. There are limitations on withdrawal of funds by a student to encourage the formation of a savings habit, and each student agrees to the rules of saving prior to opening an account.
Pantherville Bank is open for business!
Although the program has been in existence since 1998, the faculty members that are involved continue to have an excitement level over this program that is incredibly high. Paula Wade, the 5th grade teacher responsible for the bank, says “The students think it’s great and want to continue saving until they graduate.” She goes on to say, “They begin to understand that the more they save, the more interest they will earn on their money.” Assisting with the creation and ongoing support of these programs are the counselor, Chesta Schneider, and the district technologist/teacher, Kelly Baker. All three of these professional educators take a lot of pride in the contributions this program is making to their students. Ms. Baker says, “I encourage my own children, who are students at this school, to take a portion of all of the money they receive and deposit it into their account at Pantherville Bank.”
The American State Bank (Levelland Branch), a Lubbock based community bank, helped the school get this program started and provides incentives for the students to save. They waive fees associated with opening and maintaining the KidzBANK account and provide support where it is needed. Branch Manager and SR. VP, Kenneth Willmon, says, “KidzBANK is a great idea and the participation is definitely teaching the students the habit of saving.” The bank’s involvement after the initial start of the program continues, but on an as requested basis. They will continue their support of Pantherville Bank because they feel that the students are building good saving habits that will carry into their adult lives. Mr. Willmon also says, “As we contribute to the students fiscal responsibilities, we are building relationships that will last for many years, some of which will continue after the students graduate and move away.”
Pantherville Bank is an example of dedicated professionals working together for a better future for our children.
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