There’s no doubt that the amount of time put in by Brainerd School District staff and teachers throughout the school year is staggering. But the 16,095 hours and 45 minutes of total estimated volunteer time during the 2011-12 school year, is another impressive number.

Susan Rogers, district volunteer coordinator, presented during the Monday night school board the estimated time put in throughout the district school, noting the hard work and dedication to the district in the community.

“We have a great response every year (with volunteers),” said Rogers. “They come in and help with reading, academics, spelling and so on. I have a list of people already this year calling and wanting to go back to the school they were at last year.

“It’s so rewarding for the volunteers and the children and both of them really benefit from our (district volunteer) program.”

The district’s budget also benefits, with Rogers adding that at a rate of $21.79 per hour, the estimated savings that volunteers provide is calculated at $350,719.86

“I just want to say thank you to those volunteers,” said Superintendent Steve Razidlo. “We have some volunteers coming back for 10, 15, 20 years and the retirees especially in our community who want to give back and it helps close the divide between the school children and the older generation in our community.

“We greatly appreciate all the hard work of them.”

Razidlo also presented to board members Brainerd High School’s 2012 ACT results. BHS’ score results — of the 230 that tested — had a composite average of 23.8, the same average of 2011, with mathematics and reading scoring highest in the categories at 24.2 and 24.4 respectively.

The distinct’s composite score was a full point better than the Minnesota state average, a state average that Razidlo said typically tops the nation.

Approved the gifts and grants of the following: Donation from the Garrison Lions Club of $100 for the Harrison activity fund; Grant received from MDE for $16,477 for School Interoperability Framework Pilot; Donation from Target — Take Charge of Education of $878.05 for Harrison Elementary student activity fund and $1,123.09 for Riverside Elementary student activity fund; Donation from Lakes Chiropractic for $300 for the Warrior Athletic Department as a give-back program for sports physicals conducted at their facility.

The school board will host an open forum beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the BHS theater for a chance to get to know the school board candidates.

There are three seats open in this year’s school board election, with board members Jim Hunt, Reed Campbell and Kent Montgomery terms to expire. Campbell is the incumbent running for re-election. Joining him in the race in November is Randy Heidmann, Bill Cruz, Sue Kern, Robert Passi, Kari Green, Sally Jacobsen, Bruce McComas, Maurice Olson and Bob Nystrom.

JESSI PIERCE, staff writer, may be reached at 855-5859 or jessi.pierce@brainerddispatch.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jessi_pierce (@jessi_pierce).