Does this bother anyone else about teachers asking for money?

Question

Where does our school taxes go towards? I pay $80 for school fees for each child....buy ALL their school supplies plus more for kids that can't afford them. Since school has started both the kids have sent papers home for $5, $10 here and there for field trips, more school supplies, parties. I know kids are rough on supplies but it gets a little pricey.

It's a public school

I do feel for the teachers which my mom is one at the highschool where we live. I understand that they have a certain amount of fundings. But what about the school taxes? We pay it within our property tax so where does it all go???

Answer 1

I'm very involved with my children's school, so it doesn't bother me. What does bother me is that the head of the school district is making over 6 figures and teachers that have taught for over 5 years are barely breaking 30K. They're expected to work with tiny budgets for supplies while providing a fun and exciting place for your child to learn.

My children go to school in one of the biggest school districts in America. I have 4 children, so the 5 dollars here, 10 dollars there can add up, especially when all of them have a field trip in the same month. BUT I am one of those parents who's kids only have to pay .40 for lunch.

The property taxes here go mainly to building new schools because of the overcrowding of the classrooms, administrative feeds, teacher salaries.. etc. At the end, there's very little money for the actual teachers' supplies. Most of the teachers I'm friends with spend all summer writing grants to ask for money from charities and private corporations.

There are just too many kids in the public school system. The entire system needs an overhaul. But its not the teacher's fault. Its up to the state government to fund the school districts correctly.

Answer 2

the problem is all those parents that send their children to school with no school supplies. where does it say that just because it is a public school, the school should have to supply the never ending amount of pencils and paper that goes out every day. the schools have a budget for these things, but that doesn't include the hundreds of kids that need a new pencil Everyday, and sometimes twice. do you have any idea how many children pay 40 cents or less for their lunch? don't pay the $5, let your kid sit at school the day of the field trip.

Answer 3

I am a former public school teacher and I was given a budget of $150 per year for all my supplies including, but not limited to: paper, craft supplies, copies, etc... I used it all within the 1st month! I spent easily over $1000 per year of my own money. I now have 2 children in public school, and we are given a list before the school year begins that shows what each child needs for that grade. However, a public school can not legally require you to provide these items and this must be stated on the list itself. We are blessed financially to where we CAN provide the items, as well as pay for field trips, etc.... Many do not realize how many children come from low-income families and truely can not pay for their own supplies. So a lot of times, the teacher ends up spending his or her own money! The same goes for field trips, parties, etc... Where we live, a lot of corporate sponsors help out the schools by "adopting" a class each year and donating money and materials, which is a blessing!

Answer 4

Taxes go towards all sorts of things. Think about the expenses one school has for electricity, running water, and heating/cooling. Think about all the money that has to go towards supplies like toilet paper, soap, and paper towels (for hundreds of people on a daily basis). Basic necessities like these cost thousands of dollars for just one school. Now multiply that for the number of schools in the district. Add on the biggest cost- paying faculty salaries, and you've got quite a bit of money spent. In addition to all of this, there are vast amounts of other expenses that must be paid through taxes. Shelling out $80 a year so your child can have an education isn't that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things, and shelling out another $80 for additional "luxuries" like field trips and class parties isn't either. You are, of course, under no obligation to provide your children with field trips and class parties, so you can always choose NOT to fund them. Their teachers and the public education system are also under no obligation to provide them either. However, as people who want to provide today's youth with opportunities and experiences that extend beyond the basics, it's worth sending in the little expenses that add up.

Answer 5

It goes to pay the teachers, the janitors, the staff. It goes for keeping the school clean and put together. Generally the PTA pays for field trips. I don't mind giving money for the field trip because why should anyone else have to pay for my son? I buy his supplies too because I'm his mother and that's what I'm susposed to do. As far as parties and things like that, ask the teacher what they need instead of sending money if you like. I never heard of school fees. Where I live we dont' have that. Is this a public school?

Answer 6

I don't like the money I have to pay for public schools. I remember when it was free to learn in public schools.
Did not mind getting school supplies. Still have to buy school supplies, but now paying the school for them too. I enjoy paying for the field trips. Really wish the kids would have more for their learning. It is the money the teacher wants for school home work for the kids to get good grades on it. Like buying art stuff at the last minute for their grade that can be hard for me.

Answer 7

The budget goes to more than just teachers salaries. It goes to lunches, keeping up the buses, computers, buildings, books for your child to learn from, programs to follow, administration salaries, ect. And each school doesn't get the same amount of money. it all depends on how many people own property in an area also, Property tax is what is alloted to the school. Each school gets a certain percent for how many children attend. And now with NCLB (No Child Left Behind) each teacher has to perform to a certain level or their funding is reduced even more. As for them gettting a budget; in smaller areas it can be as small as a few hundred dollars to get everything needed for the year. When a teacher asks for money they are asking for your child not for themselves. Teachers get paid so little to begin with. Is it really fair that you ask them to pay out of pocket for other things???

Answer 8

The $5 here and the $10 there gets to me. Our school is also constantly sending fund raisers home that the proceeds are supposed to go for field trips. But what I have been told is that the money is actually used for transportation on the field trips. They have to pay the bus driver and of course whatever fuel they need. Either way it does start feeling like they think we are all made of money.

Answer 9

You can deduct most of your school donations on your income taxes. You are delusional to think the small portion of property taxes the school recieves is enough to sustain the school for the whole year. Do you want 50 students in each class and not enough books to go around? Most teachers pay out of theri own pockets for many school supplies just to teach your children what the state tells them they must teach. I am happy to help out when I can and buying cupcakes for 30 students for a party. I also volunteer for our PTA events and I coordinate BookFair twice a year and BoxTops and Campbell's collection monthly.

Answer 10

If this is a private school then it is to be expected since they do not have the funding of the public sector. Yes, it can get pricey.

If it is a public school then it's more than annoying since 75% of our property taxes go to the school. I'm glad my boys are in high school. It's a catch-22, you must give or the kids suffer.