As a cost-saving measure, teachers throughout the St. Clair County School System have been asked to get rid of refrigerators and microwave ovens in their classrooms.

Now, the American Federation of Teachers of Alabama has stepped in to help teachers. Last week, representatives from the AFT delivered a microwave oven to teachers at Springville Middle School.

“We donated the microwave to the school,” AFT representative Vi Parramore said. “We are putting the microwave in a common area for all teachers. There was one particular part of the school that did not have a microwave that worked. We thought it would be a good idea to help in this way.

“This is something we can do with our dues to support hard-working educators and support staff who do their jobs day in and day out. We hope this will boost moral and be a big thing.”

Board member John DeGaris said this was an opportunity for the AFT to give a durable good to help teachers do a good job.

“I didn’t look at it this way until recently,” DeGaris said. “But a lot of times, you have three teachers with maybe 15 minutes to eat lunch. If one teacher is using the microwave, the others have to wait awhile.

“This just helps them have a little bit better schedule to eat. They don’t have the eating flexibility we have at other jobs.”

SMS Principal Virgil Winslett said he appreciates the AFT and what they do for the teachers.

“We are excited about the new microwave and we hope it provides some good lunches for folks,” Winslett said.

Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.