I wish the fundraisers at my daughter’s school were for real extras like cheerleader uniforms or choir trips.
Instead, the PTA raises money to pay for teachers aides, capitol improvements, school supplies, staff development and enrichment programs so that the principal can devote more of the budget to salaries and avoid laying off teachers and staff. That’s how it’s done in New York City.
At another school I know of, the PTA raised funds to build a brand new library for the school. But, the students can’t use it because the principal doesn’t have enough money in her budget to hire a librarian.
My Kid is lucky. She goes to a “rich” school. It’s not that rich. It’s a smallish public school with a smallish number of families available to answer the appeal. But, it is rich enough school that the PTA can get away with sending out a letter flat out asking parents to make up the $1000 per student shortfall –cash if you have it– in order to bridge the gap between the current budget and the projected budget after the Mayor and Governor’s next round of education cuts.
This week alone there are five different fundraisers at My Kid’s school.
There was a fundraising dance on Friday night where parents donated all the food and drinks and then paid to get in.
There was the form I filled out this morning impulsively spending over fifty dollars on personalized labels that my only child does not need just because it was a fundraiser for the school.
The school play later this week is a fundraiser.
There will be a fundraising bake sale to which I am asked to bring cookies and then give my child cash with which to buy said cookies.
And on top of that please write a check for as much as you possibly can if you don’t want the principal to lay off any of the staff or teachers.
There’s no big bang for our bucks. All we can hope for is maintaining the status quo.
Where’s the excitement in that?