Cassopolis music director Beth Anderson needed an extra tuba because she only had two and three students interested in playing the instrument.

So she decided to team up with www.donorschoose.org to help raise enough funds to purchase the district a new tuba.

The website accepts donations for teachers in need of materials, ranging from small items such as pencils and paper to larger items, such as a tuba.

Unfortunately for Anderson, enough money wasn’t raised in time to purchase a new tuba.

But instead of giving back all the money that had already been raised, she decided to set her sights on a new project — 10 Chromebook laptops for the band and choir classrooms.

“You have a certain amount of time for each project,” Anderson said. “We didn’t meet the first deadline, so people are allowed to either take their money and donate it to another project or to donate their money back to a new project.”

Anderson was able to keep $600 of the original donations and put it toward the new project of purchasing laptops.

“Most of the people who gave back again were from Michigan, while those out-of-state donations went with another project like someone else who wanted a tuba.” Anderson said.

The total cost of the 10 Chromebooks is $1,217.47. So far, Anderson has received donations totaling over $600.

“We are about halfway to our goal,” she said. “These computers can only be used online. You cannot download programs on them. We will use them to music research, learning about composers and music artists as well as to learn about music theory.

“They would also be used if a student forgets his or her instrument. It would give them something else to do rather than just sitting there in class and watching everyone else practice.”

This project means that the Cassopolis school district does not have to pay for the computers.

“Other departments already have the computer labs checked out, so this would make it easier for us to have access to a computer,” Anderson said. “It’s another tool I can use to connect with the students.”

The deadline for raising the money to purchase the Chromebooks is March 25.