Among the many changes this new school year, some of the biggest are with the student-run bank.
Bank sponsorship has changed to Silver Lake Bank from Kaw Valley. Inside the bank there are documents dating back to the 1950s that show affiliation with Kaw Valley, and no evidence to show there was any other sponsor before that.
Many new changes will be coming to the bank as a result of this change such as new banking and accounting software, as well as online banking tools.
Bank sponsor Kevin Hoffmans says so far the process has not changed much for his students. There are some small differences in the cashier windows, but not with the rest of the bank.
He adds, “At some point this fall, we hope to be automating the cashiers and they will have to learn a new software.”
Bank President Zach Patton adds, “The sponsorship hasn’t drastically changed how we operate other than the windows all balance separately so that it is easier to balance and keep track of who did what at the end of the day.”
Executive Vice President Bailey Keating says the new software is going to be difficult to get used to. “But I’m excited to see our bank renovated into how banks are actually ran today.”
The commons is seeing new additions to the bank with an overnight drop box and a new ATM.
The drop box is a nice addition. “So teachers after concessions and gates can drop off their money after the event and the school bank or administration can get it the next day,” says Hoffmans.
The ATM is not affiliated with the student’s operations in the bank. However, Silver Lake will not charge anyone fees to use it. This will be very convenient when people need cash for events like games and plays that take place after school.
Superintendent Dr. Steve Noble says, “This change is about what we believe Silver Lake Bank will do for us, not what Kaw Valley wouldn’t do for us. Both banks are fine establishments,”
Due to the fac that they were proposing a service, there was not a formal bid process required. Both Kaw Valley and Silver Lake provided proposals.
Silver Lake Bank’s main branch is located in the district and also serves as the Seaman USD 345 district bank.