What are Donations Paying For At Your School?

Fundraising has allowed a greater and greater percentage of CUSD's budget to be spent on salaries, pensions and benefits; with greater and greater reliance on fundraising to pay for everything else.

For example, to continue Block Music and Meet the Masters (art program), my school's PTA was told to raise funds to pay for these programs or they would be eliminated. As more and more programs are cut, parents are being asked to donate more and more to schools for things that should be covered by the $53 Billion that taxpayers already give to the state of California for education.

The PTA, which is chartered as an "advocacy organization," has been turned into a "fundraising organization" with more and more time spent raising money and less time advocating on behalf of children.

Separate from the PTA as a fundraiser, parents have been asked to pay fees to participate is sports and other activities. Last year, the ACLU sued the state of California so that parents can no longer be forced to pay for books, supplies and participation in school activities, such as sports and other extracurricular activities. These "fees" were found to be illegal. A "public" school must provide the same opportunities to each student despite his parent's income or ability to pay. Download: Settlement agreement between state and ACLU over school fees

There has been growing pressure placed on parents of CUSD students to "donate" and "fundraise" to pay for those things that they preceive to be fundamental to their childrens education. 92% of CUSD's budget currently goes to employee compensation, leaving only 8% of the Districts total budget to pay for "everything else". Building maintenance has being deferred for years, donations from parents are paying for supplies, instructional materials, art, music and science programs. Donations are now being used to buy back school librianians, councilors, nurses and instructional aids. Donations are also paying for teacher stipends, teacher release time, and staff development. In addition to the PTA as a fundraising organization, schools now have Foundations and Booster Clubs all working tirelessly to provide those things that the District is legally obligated to provide for free, under the California Constitutions "Free School Guarantee".  

Question- If a school cannot raise enough money to pay for Art or Music do children at that school go without Art and Music while children at schools in wealthier neighborhoods get Art and Music?

PTA's are charted as an advocacy organization- to maintain their not-for-profit status PTA's are required to follow a 3:1 rule. 3 non-fundraising events for every 1 fundraising event. 

PTA money must benefit all children in a school equally. It cannot be distributed to a single class or a single grade.

Some questionable Donations that are to be accepted at the December 11, 2013 Board Meeting -

• George White Elementary School PTA- $10,212.00 Part-time Computer Lab Aide
• John Malcolm Elementary School PTA- $10,580 5th Grade Field Trip to Catalina (is the PTA giving every grade $10,580?)
• Moulton Elementary School PTA- $174.00 Copy Paper (The District is required by law to pay for paper - See ACLU law suit)
• SJH High School PTSA - $20,381 School Loop
• SMS Educational Foundation - $2,000 Subs for Release Day Training with Principal
• Target Corporation- $426.00 Classified Salaries
• Truman Benedict Elementary School PTA $1,710 - 19 Certificated Substitute Teachers to release classroom teachers for smart board training