OT - Nonfundraiser at DS school

[TinkerbellMama]

Ok, so the PTO does not want to do a big fundraiser this year, they just want everyone to make a donation. Sounds good, right? Just got the letter home, and, really not so much!! The donation they want per family? $125.00 Are they out of their everlovin minds? I wouldn't spend that on the fundraisers, so I am not going to just hand them a check for it. This is on top of the PTO dues of $25.00 and the fall fundraiser of gift wrap we have already done.

Is it me, or does this amount seem excessive? This is a public elementary school. I know it is an affluent town, but not everyone in this area can afford that kind of money, and not everyone itemizes so they can take it as a tax deduction.

I probably wouldn't pay it, on principle...but I WOULD volunteer my time and offer to chip in a reasonable amount for specific items if they requested it. I think it's awful that they expect $125 per family. I attended school in a wealthy district, but lived on the very edge of that district in a modest neighborhood. On top of that, no one had any idea how poor we were--much worse off financially than most of our neighbors. There is no way on earth my mother could have afforded to pay that at one time. If it would have covered all three of her kids attending the schools at that time, and maybe was spread out in equal payments, she could have. But it would have been really embarrassing for her just to receive a letter asking for that amount by XX date, knowing she didn't have it. They should lower the amount or offer a budget plan, IMO. And they certainly shouldn't EXPECT everyone to contribute. They don't know everyone's circumstances and no one should be made to feel bad that they can't give that much.
I like it when fundraisers thank everyone who donated ANYTHING, without mentioning amount. For some people, $10 might be the most they could possibly afford to give, while for others $1000 wouldn't be missed. I've heard of schools or PTAs/PTOs that harass families or even the kids! when they haven't donated anything, or at least not the "right" amount.

 

[honeymom]

I'm a pto co-president. We are in a "wealthy" district.

Pay what you can, don't worry about it.

To the parents that complained about any fundraising and taxes not well spent. Taxes no longer cover the cost of education. When I was a kid, schools were funded for textbooks. I've been in two different districts in two parts of the country and that is no longer the case. PTO helps with the basics like textbooks.

The biggest problem is that some federal mandates have skyrocketed spending on special education, yet the feds have not given any funding to cover those costs. It has to come from somewhere and it is eating up a tremendous amount of the school budget. When we lived back East, we were in a top school district in a very wealthy town. The district skimped on everything having to do with maintenance to make ends meet to the point that roofs were nearly collapsing.

It would really be helpful if parents attended BOE meetings to understand the budgets and budgetary needs. Some of you seem to be assuming that your boards are wasting your money. Get involved in the process to understand if they truly are, or where the money is going to. Learn how difficult it is to get your local population to vote for the increased funding necessary to provide a quality education given the anti-tax climate in many areas and some of the laws that exist to limit campaigning by school personnel.

I hate the fundraising, too. And, I am flat broke. But, I also understand the need for it to go on and knowing how short funded most schools are, no I am not shocked at a $125 request. I couldn't give it right now and no that no one would look down at me for giving what I could, but I would hope that those parents who could afford to give it will.