It's not dimes, but dollars that my kids' schools ask for – hundreds of dollars.
They want money for school supplies, field trips, music programs, transportation and sports fees. With the troubled economy, there are more financial requests this year than I can remember during the past nine years as a Seattle Public Schools parent. So, when do we say, "Sorry, not this time," and how do we get the most out of the money we contribute to our schools?
Most financial appeals are disguised as fund-raisers with benefits for my student, my school, and me. My child earns a cheap, annoying must-have toy, the school's PTA keeps a share of the profits, and I get to purchase enough wrapping paper to cover the Ballard Bridge.
Sometimes school PTAs put the "fun" in fund-raisers. Spring auctions, often with tropical themes, are huge money-makers. A few Seattle schools pull in $200,000 or more with auction items ranging from dinners with local celebrities and coveted classroom art projects, to throwing out a pitch at a Mariner's baseball game – even a vasectomy.
Some financial requests are straightforward. Both our elementary and middle schools have annual giving campaigns. Some schools call these academic giving campaigns or direct appeals. They eliminate the middle man and simply ask parents for money to pay for educational opportunities, services and supplies as determined by the schools.
I don't think schools and PTAs like begging for money any more than we like being asked for it. But, they need to do it.
In the Red, Budget Blues
Because of severe state funding deficits, Seattle Public Schools once again faces a very challenging budgeting process for the 2011-12 school year, according to the District. The state has cut funding to the District by about $32 million in the last two years, and a substantial – as yet unknown – budget gap is forecast for 2011-2012.
The problem for Seattle, and other districts in the state, is that public funding for education does not keep pace with the expense of maintaining current services.
The Washington State PTA (WSPTA) has been pushing for major changes in the way our state pays for basic education. Byron Shutz Jr., a parent in the Lake Washington School District, started a Web site (www.fundingwaschools.org) that details why our education system is underfunded and the consequences of inadequate school funding. It also documents what is currently being done to redefine basic education and proposes new funding solutions for this year's legislative session.
The state of Washington spends roughly $12 billion dollars on education in 295 school districts. Education advocates estimate the system needs a 15 to 25 percent increase in funding from the legislature.
"A 20 percent increase in targeted programs would yield good outcomes," says Shutz. "That includes increasing full-day kindergarten opportunities, increasing high school hours, increasing teacher professional development."
State lawmakers will once again face a challenging budget session beginning this month. The state's projected budget deficit tops $5.7 billion.
If PTA fund-raisers are the Band-Aids that prevent school programs from bleeding to death, we're going to need a lot more this budget year, and bigger ones, too.
Fundraising Fatigue
A nationwide survey of principals found that 94 percent of public schools raise funds to pay for classroom equipment and supplies, along with the "extras" such as playground equipment or tutoring. The National Association of Elementary School Principals 2007 study also found that 75 percent of schools have between one and five fund-raisers per year. One in five schools asks families and communities for money 10 times a year.
"Parents may feel burdened, but they understand there's a gap between what is spent on education and what needs to be spent in the classrooms," says Jon Krueger with the Association of Fund-Raising Distributors and Suppliers. "I wouldn't call it a necessary evil. Fund-raisers are a way for parents to enhance their kids' education."
The fund-raising business is a big one, earning schools about $1.4 billion a year. Krueger says the most successful category of fund-raisers is product sales. Nine out of 10 parents purchased a product to support a school fund-raiser in 2007. I did. You, too? How much pretty, though mostly needless, wrapping paper did you buy?
I have no doubt fund-raisers help our schools and that PTAs need our financial support. However, the way I contribute to fund-raisers will change this year. Instead of giving a little bit to every request, I'll give a larger amount to the few that make the most sense to me. For example, I am not a "stuff" person, so I'll let opportunities to purchase candy, cookie dough, gift wrap and magazines pass me by. Instead, that money will go directly to the schools' annual giving campaigns.
The money generally ends up in the same place, so it doesn't really matter which fund-raisers I support. But, taking part in an upcoming WSPTA effort in Olympia might make a difference. Their "Focus Day" rally on the steps of the Legislative Building will be Feb. 21 (check www.wastatepta.org for time). Parents and educators from all over the state will come together to pressure lawmakers to fully fund public education. Let's go.
As the WSPTA points out:
• When one person speaks alone, it's an opinion.
• When 10 of us speak together, it's a concern.
• When 50 of us speak together, it's a strong suggestion.
• When 200 of us speak together, it's a movement.
• When 150,000 of us speak together, it's a victory for children!
Linda Thomas is a journalist with two children in Seattle Public Schools.
