PERRY COUNTY STUDENTS SPEND DAY AS BANKERS

PERRYVILLE -- For the first time in his life, Mark Klaus saw more money than he receives as an allowance. Klaus, a sixth grade student at Altenburg Public School, counted and recounted $1,350 during his job as "Banker for a Day" on Thursday.

Eight sixth grade students from Perryville, Altenburg, Biehle and Frohna schools spent the day counting money and learning about life as a banker Thursday.

The "Banker for a Day" program was sponsored by the Bank of Perryville as an extension of a monthly slogan contest, said Angie Wilson, an event organizer.

Gary Wengert, executive vice president at the bank, said the program was a way for students to gain a financial education.

The students toured the bank before a "power lunch" at McDonald's restaurant. They also learned about the new $100 bill design and how it helps prevent counterfeiting.

Jessalyn Rhyne from Perryville spent part of her afternoon counting quarters and rolling the coins into $10 equivalents. She worked at the drive-up window before learning about the automated teller machine and marketing departments.

"It was kind of easy," Rhyne said of her job in the drive-up window. But the coins occasionally got caught in the machine before she could finish rolling them, she added.

Before the students started their jobs at the drive-up window, Dot Berkbigler, an employee in the marketing department, explained each of the jobs bank employees perform. The list included counting money for customers, rolling coins, exchanging "ugly" money for new bills, and greeting customers.

"It's not really ugly, but that's the term people use," Berkbigler said. "It's unfit."

Torn edges, stains and tears in the bills cause it to be unfit for use. Each bill will be sold back to the Federal Reserve Bank for "new" money, she said.

Students also spent time at the reception desk answering calls, in the bookkeeping department and at the vice president's desk. Bank employees chauffeured them to and from school.