There's always been the reality of parents and community residents doing private fund raising for school kids. Back when I was a kid, this money was usually to help do things that were not the primary function of the schools. The money was used for "nice to haves" not for "needs."

From the article, I found this alarming: "Facing budget shortfalls that are squeezing education basics, more Massachusetts public schools are turning to online auctions this spring to raise money for supplies, field trips, library books, playground equipment, and computers. [...] The money that groups raise typically cannot be used to pay teachers' salaries and restore programs, but it routinely covers many of the items that taxes used to fund."

OK, maybe field trips are just nice to have, but computers? Library books? Basic supplies?

I see this as a serious problem. Sure, I give credit to the efforts of fund raising organizers. But public education should be funded by public money. If the basics like computers and library books can't be covered by taxpayers, than isn't this just like one of those "hidden taxes" that certain people of Portsmouth love to complain about (those who call themselves "Concerned" with a capital "C").

If you want your kid to have proper supplies in school and in order to do that you have to pay money in a fund raiser, how is that different that wanting to use the transfer station and having to pay a user fee?

If schools are relying more and more on private fund raising, as the article indicates, that hides the true cost of education from the taxpayers. We think our per pupil costs are one thing, but actually it is more than people know about because the costs are hidden by private fund raising efforts. One badly timed fund raiser and there goes your library books.

But, from my observation of Portsmouth anyway, nobody cares because it's only the schools. Can you imagine if DPW folks went down your street asking you to buy raffle tickets so they could have enough money to patch the holes in your road? How about if the town clerk wouldn't record land transactions anymore until the silent auction was done to pay for it?

Right Y'All,
Back in the age of hard times and working-age children, we public school students shared available books, bought our own material from money earned performing chores for neighbors and farmers, outings were long walks singing folk-songs or by bus, self-funded (those with had hardship did not go unless other kids chipped in), and teachers would have to embrace all grade-levels.

But yes, society has changed along with a standard of living. Other nations still practice education the old-fashioned way. Whatever we express on these blog sites however, will not change minds or behavior, but it helps to find like-minded bloggers in this age of 24/7 propaganda.

Good Luck,

Wernerlll

You mention parents and friends of education who supplement schools, but don't forget what teachers contribute. We often buy things from our own pockets - tissues, paper, books, videos, conferences we find valuable to the classroom, markers, flash drives for kids to loan to those who can't afford one, awards for achievements, hand sanitizer (now that the supply we got during the meningitis outbreak has run out), and basic supplies for those students who really can't buy their own. We also open our wallets and refrigerators when there are families in need in our schools. In addition, we support all the fundraisers that the kids are involved in - cookie dough, candles, wrapping paper, plays, concerts, class fundraisers, senior project events - I buy from at least one student for anything that any group is selling. That's in addition to paying taxes and supporting education that way. My kids are done with public ed, but I can't imagine feeling as if it's someone else's turn to pay. At the same time, it seems that every year I have to provide more and more of the things that used to be in the budget.

I'm not suggesting the earlier comments were somehow snubbing the teachers, but just wanted to point out that teachers turn a lot of our salaries back to supporting the kids. This doesn't even count the hours outside of the contract (very, very few of us are contract sticklers) - extra help, make up work, chaperoning, answering phone and email questions for students with questions about assignments outside of the school day, meeting kids at the library to help them with research projects or to provide extra help to those with challenging work schedules, just to name a few.

Peace,
English