Alberton School District is clearing out years of unused curriculum, office equipment and classroom supplies, giving community members a chance to purchase items at reasonable prices.

"We hope to share these items with the community and people who can put them to use," said Alberton School Principal and Superintendent Amanda Cyr. "It gives a little bit of kick-back to the school, and we'll use the proceeds in our general fund to cover different expenses." 

Teachers have sorted through curriculum materials, technology, office furniture and classroom supplies that are no longer being used. Cyr said she isn't sure when the district last held a surplus sale, as this is only her second year in Alberton.

"We're organizing what we have that still has life and can be of value," she said.

Among the discoveries were three antique microscopes that the district has decided to preserve rather than sell. 

“We're going to find a place to display them here because we want to preserve the history of the school," Cyr said. 

In addition to raising money for the district, the sale will help clear out storage areas. Shoppers on Wednesday in the school parking lot found that none of the items had prices on them. 

"We ask for offers from people, and if it sounds reasonable, we'll take it," Cyr said. "We can also look up items for their perceived value, such as printers, so that gives everyone an idea of what they're worth." 

The district also plans to sell or donate office furniture, including desks, filing cabinets and other office staples. 

"We'll keep some of this available for a short time for people to come look at if they give us a call," Cyr said. 

Teachers are also reviewing books that were never added to the district's inventory. Some of the materials may remain in classrooms because the information is still relevant and fits the current curriculum.

Sarah Diehl, who began this year as district clerk and business manager, has helped organize the surplus. Before coming to Alberton, Diehl worked in certified payroll for a large construction company and previously served as payroll clerk for Frenchtown School District for six and a half years. She said they also uncovered many textbooks from the 1980s and 1990s that could still be useful to homeschooling families or students needing extra practice. 

"Or for some of the kiddos to do some extra work over the summer that are struggling in a subject, these books will help," she said with a smile. "My Gramma did that for us."

The district has also worked with other schools to make sure usable materials stay in classrooms whenever possible. 

"We actually had a teacher from Dutton School come today just to look through the curriculum, and she took a few items," Cyr said. 

Among the surplus are boxes of legal-size copy paper that the district has no use for, along with Common Core math textbooks, puzzles, games, flash cards, staplers, paper cutters, filing cabinets, stackable chairs and even a ping-pong table. The district is also accepting sealed bids for a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with approximately 132,000 miles. The vehicle is no longer considered suitable for the driver's education program and will be sold "as is." 

Clay Acker is the contact for appointments to inspect the van at (406) 214-0814. Sealed bids must be received by 2 p.m. Friday, July 31.

Cyr came to Alberton after serving in Clinton, where she taught fifth grade for six years and middle school for another six years before serving five years as principal and four years as superintendent. 

During her first year in Alberton, she was named Western Montana Superintendent of the Year. The Alberton School Board combined the principal and superintendent positions when it hired Cyr.

    Alberton School students were some of the customers at the school surplus sale in the parking lot last Wednesday. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)