Can a public school force you to do fundraising?

[*BTMRR*]

Can a public school force you to do fundraising?
This is our first year in this school. Last May the PTA decided that '07-'08 fundraising would be solely to pay for 1. Teacher Appreciation Day and 2. End of the year party for all the kids.
The goal is to raise a small amount for the teacher day and several thousand dollars for the party which will include lots of food for kids & families (the school has several hundred kids so this is expensive), bounce castles, games, prizes, and DJ.

I just can't make myself do fundraising all year for a party! At our previous (private) school we raised money for things like art supplies and new computers. I worked hard to help out. I don't want to contribute my time and money to a party. Instead I've been helping out with the kids' classes and sending specific things in that their teachers request. And I'll help at the teacher appreciation luncheon. But recently a couple of letters have come home saying things like "All families are expected to contribute" and "a check will be accepted if you cannot participate in the catalog sales." It makes me feel like there may be some consequence for our non-participation. Can they do something like hold back report cards, or make some other issues for us?
This is our first public school so I really just don't know how it works with fundraising.

MJ

 

[Beth76]

I can't imagine they can enforce any consequences. It's fundraising not an activity fee. They're probably just using scare tactics to get more money. I would ignore it if you can't contribute.

 

[agnes!]

This whole thing sounds odd to me, almost like someone needs to contact the National PTA. And besides, the PTA is not the school itself - there's no way they can hold back report cards or something like that. I would actiavte what I like to call the Moms' network - talk to some of the other moms...see what they think.

And if there were repercussions? Oh YEAH, that would be the hill I would choose to die on. No way, nohow. What you are doing in the classroom is far more important than a PARTY. A party?!?

Good luck - I hate all the fundraising too.
agnes!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

No they cannot.

 

[EthansMom]

They can't do anything to you if you choose not to participate in the fundraising for the PTO/PTA at a public school.

I sometimes go when I read some of the stories people post here on the DIS about their PTOs. Ours is great... raises several thousand dollars each year to pay for all enrichment activities (plays, puppet shows, cultural experiences), all field trips, books for our library, school supplies, and teacher stipends to help with their out-of-pocket expenses. Our one big fundraiser is a Dinner Dance Auction, which raises so much money that we've just gone to having it every other year instead of every year.

At a guess, you're not the only family that has decided that it's ridiculous to fundraise in order to throw a big party... hence, the letters, which are in poor taste. The PTA probably isn't getting enough money to pay for the party in the style that members would like.

Is your PTA organized as a charitable organization (as ours is)? If so, I'd be surprised if they'll be able to maintain that status with the IRS if the majority of their funds are spent on one big party.

 

[bluerendezvous]

No they cannot.

Public school teacher here. What Mystery Machine said.

 

[cccm]

Nope. Looks like someone is in charge of the PTS/HSA that should not be. Have you been to the meetings?

At ours, the principal has to approve all correspondence sent to students and families.

 

[Kathi OD]

Can a public school force you to do fundraising?
This is our first year in this school. Last May the PTA decided that '07-'08 fundraising would be solely to pay for 1. Teacher Appreciation Day and 2. End of the year party for all the kids.
The goal is to raise a small amount for the teacher day and several thousand dollars for the party which will include lots of food for kids & families (the school has several hundred kids so this is expensive), bounce castles, games, prizes, and DJ.

I just can't make myself do fundraising all year for a party! At our previous (private) school we raised money for things like art supplies and new computers. I worked hard to help out. I don't want to contribute my time and money to a party. Instead I've been helping out with the kids' classes and sending specific things in that their teachers request. And I'll help at the teacher appreciation luncheon. But recently a couple of letters have come home saying things like "All families are expected to contribute" and "a check will be accepted if you cannot participate in the catalog sales." It makes me feel like there may be some consequence for our non-participation. Can they do something like hold back report cards, or make some other issues for us?
This is our first public school so I really just don't know how it works with fundraising.

MJ

They cannot hold report cards or transfers to other schools, diplomas or promotions to the next grade, or special instruction that your child may otherwise be entitled to receive.

Unless the letters specifically state that your child will not be allowed to participate, I wouldn't worry. They can expect whatever they want, but in a public school they cannot force you to participate in fund raising activities. I seriously doubt that they would keep your child from participating in the end of year picnic if you didn't fund raise, especially since you are helping out in the classroom, but that might be a possibility. I liken it to the school trips my kids went on in middle and high school. They were not free and the school held a fund raiser to help cover the costs. If you wanted to participate you did, and if you didn't you sent in a check. Kids who did neither were not go on the trip UNLESS there was a financial hardship. However, those instances were handled on a case-by-case basis and the parents had to initiate the conversation.

I would ask another parent what happens if you don't participate before getting too worked up. If you that your child won't be able to participate in the picnic unless you fund raise, then I would send in a token donation, say $5 at most.

Good Luck to you!

 

[Froggyswife]

No.

 

[BuffettFan]

I've been a PTA local unit president several times, and a regional vice president twice.

First, no there can not be any repercussions for refusing to participate in fundraising.

Second, I would agree with previous posters that you should contact your county PTA council, or state PTA board. (It would probably be addressed quicker than if you contact national.) Some local units get carried away with "scare tactics" to raise more money. I'm sure they woud change their tune after being contacted about parent concerns.

Third, and most interesting.....Did the PTA board present the budget to the membership for approval at the beginning of the school year? I find it VERY interesting that the parent body would vote to accept a budget where all proceeds go only to teacher appreciation and a party....I know the schools in our district never would. I only ask because I know that if you contact your state PTA that will be one of their first questions.

I hate fundraising, and the school my children attend does A LOT of it. But I have reviewed their budget, and the money is going to some great things for our school, and it's students.....so I can't help but participate. If I were in your shoes I can't say that I would !!

 

[Pigeon]

No. If it were fundraising for your kid to attend a special activity or program, perhaps, but for regular school, no.

We never do fundraisers. We do make a contribution to the PTA, but the fundraiser junk goes straight into the recycling.

 

[Luv'sTink]

No there is nothing they can do, but, they will pressure your child to participate.

 

[tngramma]

No there is nothing they can do, but, they will pressure your child to participate.

This is what I would worry about is someone pressuring your child. Sometimes the PTA leaders forget what their jobs are and seem to think they should tell all parents what to do.

 

[DisneygirlTeacher]

This is what I would worry about is someone pressuring your child. Sometimes the PTA leaders forget what their jobs are and seem to think they should tell all parents what to do.

I am a teacher and everyone above is correct....they can't make you participate. Sounds a little bit strange to me. I'd go to your principal and tell her about the letter and how you like to help in other ways. There is no way in the world my principal would let a letter like that go home to parents.

 

[freckles and boo]

Our PTA does fundraisers and pays for the schoolwide celebrations, but whether or not a child is allowed to attend is determined exclusively by the child's behavior. It is part of the positive behavior program and children must earn their right to attend. I love our school and our PTA is great, but if I ever received a letter like that I would be in the principal's office the next morning. The language is coersive and obnoxious.

 

[dzorn]

No they cannot force you, but do you expect your children to attend the party? If so I would just buy one or two small items and be done with it.

Some of our PTA money goes for a end of year picnic, bouncers concert and such, but it also give teacher a gift card Mid year for any needed supplies that are not ordinarly carried, puppet shows, assemblies field trips, and we even purchased new carpet last year. That was decided in the first or second PTA meeting of the year. You may want to attend some of the meeting if you have not done previously.


Denise in MI

 

[Becky2005]

I haven't read through everything but I'm pretty sure the answer is no they can't make you.

Sounds to me they are trying to guilt you into giving if you haven't yet with the way the letters are worded.

I've never heard of fundraising for just a party. I know we don't really do fundraising per se. Our PTO just straight out asks for a donation and then we do things like Market Day, have a fun fair, etc... The funds are used to pay for assemblies, help defray costs of busses for field trips, teacher's wish lists and then those items have to be approved by the PTO and they are all educational items.

I know there have been years I've contributed nothing to the fundraiser and nothing has happened. There have been years I have contributed -- nothing different happened either year in terms of report cards, etc...

 

[*BTMRR*]

Thank you for your responses. I feel relieved.
I did go to the first meeting of the year (that's where I first found out about what the funds were to be used for). I plan to attend as many meetings as possible because they do do some other things besides fundraising...they organize the science fair and run the library for example and I love to participate in that kind of thing. I'm not really the type to want to complain about the budget this year but I will make myself heard when it comes time to come up with next year's budget.
I'll be sure to contribute some cash this year to help with the party. I know my kids will be attending, and I do love a good school party! I just wish that almost a WHOLE YEAR of fundraising wasn't being sucked into that one day event.
MJ

 

[missypie]

In DD's high school drill team, participation in fundraising events by both the girls AND AT LEAST ONE PARENT is mandatory. If the girl and parent don't participate, they get demerits that eventually result in suspension from the squad (which counts as two actual classes at school.) As much as I hate it (I did a 4 hours shift at Sonic on Saturday for tips only!), they DO tell you about it at the parents' meeting before auditions.

 

[freckles and boo]

In DD's high school drill team, participation in fundraising events by both the girls AND AT LEAST ONE PARENT is mandatory. If the girl and parent don't participate, they get demerits that eventually result in suspension from the squad (which counts as two actual classes at school.) As much as I hate it (I did a 4 hours shift at Sonic on Saturday for tips only!), they DO tell you about it at the parents' meeting before auditions.

I think that is a bit different. I did drill team and it is an extra-curricular, even though it was allowed to be substituted for physical education classes. A child whose parents can't devote the time or money to it, especially if they know before auditions, won't be able to participate. PTA fundraisers should be voluntary.