The Multi-State Lottery Association had put the chance of winning the $1.5 billion grand prize of the PowerBall at 1 in 292.2 million. Despite these unfavorable odds, citizens nationwide were not deterred from imagining how they would have spent this seemingly endless pot of gold. Every student and faculty attending Sturgis Charter Public School must have wondered at some point: what would happen if Sturgis won the PowerBall?
Of course, Sturgis would not have walked away with exactly $1.5 billion. If one requested all of the money at once, then you'd be left with “only” $561.7 million after federal and state taxes. Still, not bad! (Disclaimer: While I would be the first person to say how wonderful Sturgis is, even I have dreamt of how the school would be morphed through the PowerBall.)
With 50% of the student body at Sturgis East competing in sports, many would rush to consider the PowerBall’s implications on the athletic department. Building its own basketball court would cost Sturgis only 0.00018% of the new endowment! In fact, Sturgis could buy TD Garden (an approximated $248 million cost for development), the home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, as a home court and still maintain half of its winnings!
Once all of the athletic necessities are met, the remaining $313.7 million could be allotted to the hardworking staff who are so vital in making Sturgis the #1 public school in MA. With almost 80 teachers, counselors, and administrators, Sturgis East could give each teacher approximately $4 million to show appreciation for the countless hours and work that they have invested in our amazing school.
The possibilities seem endless: indoor swimming pools, completely renovated campuses, even the addition of a Moe’s Restaurant next door to Sturgis East could be paid for without any hesitation.
However, as always, there are some things that money can’t buy. The hiring of a world class teaching staff? The electric school pride of every Sturgis student as Sturgis wins a state game in double overtime against rival PJP? Now that’s priceless.