At the PVMS Open House this week, parents were greeted by a request for donations in different houses and classrooms.Wait....WTF???
We very clearly heard the school district tell us that the building budgets were being increased back to 2008 levels. According to the most current budget documents, that meant an additional $345,000 over last year! 11 schools dividing that purse means more than an additional $30,000 EACH for supplies over last year. And we have to hit up parents for "donations"? C'mon, man! This is most definitely a "H'ep Me Understand" situation.
We also heard (to a hefty applause from parents) that standardized class supply lists were developed.
 |
| Requests for supplies donations were observed throughout the Open House Night at Prairie View Middle s School this past Thursday |
Again...WTF?
How were the class supply lists developed?
How much involvement did teachers have? It would seem that a number of teachers think more supplies are necessary. Is this just a bunch of teachers gone rogue? It would seem that this act, done right under the very nose of the principal, that said principal supports said soliciting of "donations".
And why are parents being asked to provide MORE supplies? Shouldn't these essential elements of the classroom be covered by the General Fund budget? Or is too much of the General Fund budget ($72,000,000) being used for "other" things and not enough for general supplies ($1,239,507)?
So...we can...
- send Dr. Culver to China for a week
- earmark at least $2,500 to begin a Mandarin Chinese program next year
- have taxpayer financed pizza lunches
- provide candy bars for staff for after school meetings
- provided bottled water for EVERY staff meeting/training session
- but not have enough money for basic supplies.
All good questions...
Posts
