SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS 'ESSENTIAL' - al.com

SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS 'ESSENTIAL' - al.com: "As county schools lose support personnel because of the Baldwin County funding crisis, teachers, students and parents are stepping up to help fill the gaps by donating needed items, money or their time, according to officials.

'Volunteers are becoming essential at our schools and principals are smart to use them,' said Baldwin County Board of Education President Tracy Roberts. 'I wiped down tables myself at Spanish Fort and I was amazed at how well the staff did serving 900 meals with so few hands.'

Schools such as Rockwell Elementary and W.J. Carroll Intermediate have teams of volunteers helping with custodial duties and groundskeeping — even parents helping make copies for teachers."