Here we are, part way through week two of school and Ryan has brought home two fund raisers in as many days. I didn’t keep up with it too close last year but I remember the total number of fund raisers was a ridiculous number in comparison to what we did in school.
Before we continue, and before my teacher friends crucify me, let me explain my position. I understand it takes money and I understand that the teachers need more of it. The teachers I personally know, for the most part, do a wonderful job with the support they get. We have in the past personally donated to Ryan’s class in times of need. We have even bought things through the fund raising projects. We fully comprehend that teaching our youth takes money, time and good people.
However, I absolutely loathe the thought of sending my 6 year old out to raise money for a school system in which I am paying taxes for. One that I might add seems to have its priorities a little backwards. A few very large projects were just completed, addition to the Intermediate School, the building of the Redland School and many others. There is no doubt that these projects cost lots of money. They may well have been a need as well and not just part of someone’s wish list. That part doesn’t matter though because I was raised that you live within your means.
Additions and nice new schools are great, if you have the money free and clear to handle the cost, completely and fully. If we had money to put into projects, then we HAD the money to run what was already established. The Dave Ramsey line is missing so many times in Government run operations. “You live on less than you make”.
I don’t have the answer on this one. There seems to be less and less money and more and more students. If more people are moving into Elmore County, then the tax base is going up too. For me, I think the first thing that needs to be looked at is spending versus income. If you can’t cut enough to match the income, then the next place to look is internally. Is the Elmore County BOE top heavy?
After hearing about the way in which the BOE meeting was conducted at the beginning of the week, it makes it real hard for me to send my 6 year old to the neighbor’s house to beg for more money for a system that seems on the surface to be fiscally inept. If I am to pay taxes for education and many other County services, why then should I have to either pay or help raise additional money for the same thing? Nope, until BOE’s State and Country wide tighten their belts, par down the wish lists and become better stewards of the people’s money, don’t look for me to turn my 6 year old into a beggar.
Remember above all, these are elected officials too, and yes, they work for YOU. YOU are the boss, you are the ones that can make a difference in operations and hold them ACCOUNTABLE for their decisions.
I agree. No matter how much money taxpayers contribute to the schools, our schools will never be completely ran on the alotted tax money. We have learned to rely on the fund raising. No different than it takes two incomes to support a family because this is how we choose to live.
ReplyDeleteSomething that frustrates me is everytime things get tight they threaten the sports and band programs. This doesn't make sense. OK, the school system pays the coaches and band directors who, by the way, usually double as Drivers ed teachers or history teachers,chorus teachers ect. However, as most any parent of a football player or cheerleader or bandmember ect. will tell you, the rest of the program is funded by parent organizations. We pay fees that cover transportation, uniforms, equipment,stadiums and the electricity and fuel that runs it all. So when things get bad and we need new schools and repairs, don't tell me that we may not be able to have football games or a band program because cutting these programs is not going to save the school system that much money.
I don't think I have a solution but one parent mentioned recently that he would pay a given amount of money per child every year to avoid fundraisers. A teacher friend said she has suggested the schools ordering school supplies in bulk and selling to each student (whose parents want to participate) a package that includes everything the child needs for the grade he or she is in. Doing this would take some stress off of parents and allow the school system to charge a little more to make a profit. Her suggestion was struck down. I personally would love the chance to pay to know I don't have to go all over town looking for a certain kind of pencil pouch or calculator.
I am with you on hating fundraisers. I would rather buy a raffle ticket or make a donation than to pay $15 or $20 for some item off a flier that the school will recieve a small percentage for. Not to say I don't do it because I do. I guess maybe fundraisers are a necessary evil because it is what we have learned to rely on.
All very good comments, thanks for responding!!
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