Foundations for public schools?
June 9, 2010 7:46 AM Subscribe
Is subsidizing elementary education fair?
We live in a wealthy school district and have a foundation that raises upwards of 1 million dollars per year for the schools - or 10% of the operating budget. It mainly subsidizes teacher salaries but also some supplies and enrichment programs.
I worry about how this affects the schools in nearby less wealthy neighborhoods that don 't have this option. Our teachers make about 20K more than average, so combined with smaller class sizes this means we get lots of great teachers. We also have great facilities and music and art, which other schools don't have.
Should it be illegal to create such a disparity within a public school system? Is it unconscionable to contribute or is it every parent for themself?
If you are a teacher, do you support or discourage these organizations? I know it can interfere with your job too.
We live in a wealthy school district and have a foundation that raises upwards of 1 million dollars per year for the schools - or 10% of the operating budget. It mainly subsidizes teacher salaries but also some supplies and enrichment programs.
I worry about how this affects the schools in nearby less wealthy neighborhoods that don 't have this option. Our teachers make about 20K more than average, so combined with smaller class sizes this means we get lots of great teachers. We also have great facilities and music and art, which other schools don't have.
Should it be illegal to create such a disparity within a public school system? Is it unconscionable to contribute or is it every parent for themself?
If you are a teacher, do you support or discourage these organizations? I know it can interfere with your job too.
This post was deleted for the following reason: this is really chatty. Are you trying to solve a problem? It sounds like you just want to talk about this topic. -- jessamyn
This thread is closed to new comments.
Would it be nicer for people to donate money to all public schools rather than just their own? Yes. However, I don't know of any way to do that without causing similar inequalities.
Ask yourself: Would you be willing to move right now to a lower income neighborhood to avoid this subsidy? If so, I admire your idealism. I lack it. If not - welcome to the gentleman's agreement.
posted by saeculorum at 7:53 AM on June 9, 2010