Jenny Dobbs' art history class at Braden River High School is a place for free thinkers.
Dobbs, chairwoman of the school's Language Arts Department, gets her classes to cogitate on the thoughtful expressions on Greek statues.
So Wednesday, it was natural that Dobbs' students, some of the top minds in the school, turned their attention to how the school should spend the $131,779 it will receive from the state for earning earning an A grade last year on its Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Braden River High was just one of 33 Manatee County schools that got an A or improved at least one letter grade, thereby earning a bonus.
Braden River High's neighbor, Lakewood Ranch High, also earned an A and picked up $161,668.
Like the Pirates, the Mustangs are deciding what to do with the windfall.
Manatee High was the third county high school to score an A and picked up $185,627, tops of any county school.
But what to do with all this Pirate treasure?
"I think we should get a rubberized running track and pay off any loans we have taken out," said Andres Pareja, who doesn't want Braden River High to be "bailed out" by the federal government.
Assistant Principal Don French, who stopped by Dobbs' class to listen in, advised Pareja that Braden River High, unlike some banks, hasn't over-extended itself on credit.
Rebecca Radtke suggested the money be put toward another wing on the school, perhaps dedicated to the fashion arts.
Said James Kinsey: "Open up new programs, make programs better."
But Victor Balcom's suggestion was the one that brought a twinkle to French's eye.
"I think teachers should get the bonus because they work hard every day for us," Balcom said.
Actually, all those suggestions and more will be considered by a school committee made up of parents, teachers and administrators who will decide in the next few weeks how to carve up the booty.
"We are coming up with a plan to honor the Pirate family," French said. "Everyone has a viewpoint on this. Everyone weighs things differently. We will make sure we take our time."
All plans must be submitted to Lynette Edwards of the school district by Oct. 24, French said.
The money is expected to be all spent by Nov. 25.
French said teachers like Celeste Smith, who would have to be pushed to take it, are very deserving of a bonus.
Said Smith: "No amount of money is equal to the feeling you get when you are able to teach a child and see that child walk across the stage and graduate."
Smith would love to see funds go to help kids who struggle with FCAT, even if it means less for her.
"I never want to go through that again," Smith said, referring to seeing students miss graduation because they have failed the FCAT.
Another East Manatee school, Myakka City Elementary, will have $28,502 to spend.
Myakka City is looking at three options, said Roy Shaw, the first-year principal, who was assistant principal at Nolan Middle last year, also an A school.
"They are looking at staff and faculty bonuses and money for a school-wide project that hasn't been decided, and money for supplies," Shaw said.
"I told them that this money is extra and I don't have a preference and I support whatever they decide," Shaw said. "I'm proud of them."
French had some advice for all the schools counting their goodies.
"The biggest challenge is to repeat," he said.
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