PAISD to offer class on personal finance




A course on personal finance was added at Port Aransas High School for the 2021-2022 school year, made possible by a resident’s donations.

Titled “Money Matters” and taught by Dana Hawkins in person at the high school, the course is open to all grade levels at PAHS, according to Principal David Swartwout.

He said he hopes the class will provide students financing skills such as setting goals, budgeting and saving money.

“The course touches upon a wide range of learning experiences,” Swartwout said. “(The curriculum) seeks to address not only just the technical skills needed to flourish financially, but also the specific, fundamental behaviors students must grasp in order to succeed.”

Lee Harrison, who is a South Jetty staff photographer, was the one who purchased the licenses that allowed 30 students at PAHS to take the course this school year.

The course uses curriculum provided by Dave Ramsey, a personal finance expert, author, radio host and CEO of his company Ramsey Solutions based in Tennessee, according to his website.

Harrison said she had to learn about finances after her husband, Xavier, who handled their finances, died three years ago.

Hopefully, she said, the course will allow students this year to learn about skills they’ll use all their lives and avoid common financial pitfalls.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” Harrison said. “It’ll allow them to avoid debt. This is something they have to use every day, whether they become a brain surgeon or whoever. It’s for everybody.”

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