Student-run credit union branch opens at Baker
By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
Some fiscally minded kids have piggy banks, but students in the Baldwinsville Central School District now have their own branch of a credit union.
A student-run branch of Edge Federal Credit Union opened in Baker High School last week. Students were immersed throughout the entire process of planning and construction, from drawing blueprints of the desk to pouring the concrete countertop, from marketing and promotions to manning the desk.
“They’re definitely excited to see it and carry it out,” business teacher Meghan Titus said of the students who worked on the project.
According to Renee Burnett, the district’s director of secondary curriculum and instruction and the administrator who oversaw the Edge project, the idea began in Elden Elementary School a few years ago. Then-principal Tony Cardamone, who is now the district’s director of elementary curriculum and instruction, wanted to start a student banking program.
“Edge really brought to the table what we were looking for in terms of a school bank program,” Burnett said.
Elden students with Edge “cub saver” accounts can make their deposits at school. The Phoenix and Liverpool school districts also participate in Edge’s student savings programs.
“It teaches students how to manage their money … learning how to save and the importance of saving money,” Burnett said.
In April of last year, the district began discussing the possibility of a student-run branch, like the one at Liverpool High School. Liverpool’s branch was already handling Elden’s cub saver deposits.
When Titus was hired in the summer of 2017, planning “really got into high gear,” Burnett said.
The 38 students in Titus’ business ownership and marketing classes worked with Edge’s Student Branch Coordinator Casey Thurston and CEO Theresa Lotito-Camerino to develop the branch.
Titus said students can open checking and savings accounts, apply for credit cards (if they are 18 or older) and receive financial counseling on student loans and other matters.
“Every time we’re open, there’s an Edge representative here,” Titus said.
While the Baker branch is not open to the public, district staff can access its services. Teachers and others can even submit their mortgage payments there.
“Anything they can do at a bank, they can do here,” Burnett said.
Titus’ students will log transactions into a spreadsheet. From there, Thurston, the student branch coordinator, will process the transactions through Edge, keeping the specifics of one’s account information private.
“The kids never know someone’s actual account balance,” Burnett said.
In addition to accepting deposits at the desk, Titus’ students will develop commercials and other promotions to spread the word throughout the district.
“They’re looking at different things where every time you deposit or open an account, [you] get an entry and you can win a free ticket to Senior Ball,” Titus said. “We’re going to do ‘trivia Tuesdays’ — answer a question and get a piece of candy — just to get traffic in here.”
They’ll also be in charge of regular financial reporting and will help Thurston inform the school board of the credit union branch’s performance.
“The two classes have to make a presentation. They have to go in front of Casey and she’ll decide which of the two she wants to use,” Titus said.
While Titus’ classes are handling the business side of things, the technology department has been heavily involved in the development of the branch as well.
Led by technology teachers Jamie Cuyler and Matt Hudson, tech students designed and built the large wooden desk that dominates the branch office, as well as the recessed bookshelf behind it. Steve and Jordan Millard of CNY Concrete Countertops donated materials and expertise, coming in to work with the students on three occasions. Steve Rosenberger, the district’s director of facilities, was instrumental in readying the office as well.
Baker students also competed to design a logo and coin a slogan for the credit union branch. Abby Manning created the winning design and the tagline: “Where the Bees bank.” Along with his graphic design students, tech teacher Jeff Fortais printed the vinyl logos for the branch office.
Student artwork adorns the walls of the office and will be switched out periodically to showcase other pieces.
Burnett said Edge has been very generous in its involvement, funding construction costs, installing an ATM and creating opportunities for students. Edge will provide scholarships for account holders and student employees through Dollars for Scholars. The company has also offered job interview practice and will prioritize internship opportunities for students who work in the Baker branch.
“Financial literacy I’d one of the biggest things we can do for our students before we let them go out into the real world,” Burnett said.
The Baker High School branch of Edge Federal Credit Union is open periods 3 through 6 and 8 on Mondays and periods 2 through 8 on Tuesdays. The branch is only open to school district staff and students, not the general public.
