Any other Ag Teachers/FFA Advisors Here?

[dknapp1]

Seeking any other Ag teachers or FFA Advisors who might be on here. Do you guys allow tractor restorations in your program? What do you do with donated tractors to the school/program? Where do you pull the money from for the restoration and if you sell it, where does the money go, back into the program, or for scholarships? Have you had any luck with Titan Tires donating tires? I haven't been able to get them to respond back to me in 2 years.

[Eugene]

Suggest you submit a complete list of questions concerning the topic to the school's superintendent and the school board.

Having taught high school auto mechanics and "shop" for a number of years, the main problem with school supported shop/AG projects was the school's budget, lack of funds.

Another issue, school districts policies vary greatly.

Probably the easiest way to handle some of the questions is to work on a student's tractor and have the student fund the project.

[Super A]

The one we did we sold chances to win it. Had some sponsorships to buy parts. Money went back into the general fund of our program.

In my system, if a tractor is donated and the school writes a "donation letter" to the donor so they can claim it on their taxes, the tractor becomes school property and if we sell it it has to go through the auction process just like any other surplus equipment. If someone just gives us one and there's no paper trail, we can pretty much do whatever we want with it.

I'd talk to your book keeper/school secretary about rules/laws/policies. I'm sure you've been around long enough to know not to go to the board or superintendent first!

Hope this helps,
Al

[Eugene]

I'd talk to your book keeper/school secretary about rules/laws/policies. I'm sure you've been around long enough to know not to go to the board or superintendent first!

Most school districts have their policies and procedures posted online.

Regarding Super A's suggestion, depends on how well you get along with the superintendent and school board members.

Last school I taught at, if supplies/parts were purchased with school district funds and sold, I had to add 10% to the school purchase price. The funds didn't return to my program, but to the district's general fund.

Have done tractors, motor cycles, and a hot rod in school shops. The one and only hot rod was a really great educational tool. Students were motivated and really interested. Superintendent, school board, and other teachers didn't think very much of hot rod idea and told me so.

Industrail technology/shop instructors have a loose knit association within Missouri. My might check with FFA/Voc AG instructors in your state for their suggestions.

[Rick Prentice]

I'm sure Bill Hudson will have answers for you.

[Bill Hudson]

I'm sure Bill Hudson will have answers for you.

I'm not sure that I can improve on Al's or Eugene's answers. The rules/policies will vary from school to school and state to state. That said, repairing/restoring a tractor is a wonderful student learning experience.

Bill

[ScottyD'sdad]

Our county ag school has stopped doing antique restorations. They want the students to concentrate on modern machinery that they are likely to encounter in the work force. (I'm an advisor to the mechanics program, but have little to say, about policies like this>)

Ed

[dknapp1]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. We have had turnover with admins in the 9 years I have been here so I tend to operate under the rules of "better to ask for forgiveness then permission" on the majority of what we do in the shop as I am lucky if an admin comes through my facility once in a year. Being as the tractor was donated we are looking to restore it and then will sell it and use the money made to fund student scholarship for those students who are working on it. Funds are just a little different right now with all things Covid making things tough for everyone so my alumni group and advisory committee are helping me to find funds to make it happen. Appreciate the advice and guidance of the group.