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Unified fundraising in PAUSD
Schools & Kids, posted by Peggy Esber & Preeva Tramiel, a member of the Gunn High School community, on Jun 23, 2006 at 7:41 am

In response to Alex Rocha's June 14 article in the Palo Alto Weekly and Palo Alto Online — "Fundraising taking on bigger piece of pie" — we would like to clarify the fundraising situation in the Palo Alto high schools, as we see it. There are "more hands out," as the Partners in Education president said, and this is why:

Fundraising is targeted to more specific student interests than it is in elementary school because high school is a safe place for students to differentiate themselves and explore their own interests.

Before Proposition 13, band, sports, drama, choir, student publications and the like were funded by taxpayer dollars. These activities contribute to the total high-school experience and are essential for student growth. That is why PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association) and the various booster groups stepped in to fund them.

These funds are spent in the same year they are raised. The PTSA budget is posted at each high school for the public to see. That is why we believe there will always be a place for PTSA fundraising in the Palo Alto high schools.

This year, for the first time ever, Partners in Education will be fundraising in the back-to-school packets with PTSA and the booster groups. This was done intentionally so parents could have the full picture of how essential their dollars are and can choose where their dollars will go.


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Comments

Posted by Richard, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Jun 23, 2006 at 10:47 am

Fundraising is an important part of our schools finances.

Every time I think of the subject I can't help but wonder if our schools are really receiving a fair share of the California Lottery proceeds as was presented to the voters at it's inception. What do the schools actually receive? Perhaps one tenth of one percent of the gross proceeds? What would happen if that were increased to ten percent? Is there any watch group out there that can "Follow The Money" and find out who is really benefiting from the millions of dollars spent each week in this form of legalized gambling?

I know I've had three kids graduate from Paly and I spent $5.00 on a Lottery ticket last week but I could probably count on one hand how many times I contributed to the schools while my children were attending.


Posted by Giraffe, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Jun 23, 2006 at 7:19 pm

Check this out:

Web Link

It looks to be a reputable site and I think it says a minimum of 34% of lottery revenue must go to schools. This pretty much says the same thing

Web Link

It also appears to be a reputable site.


Posted by The Arima Family, a resident of the Professorville neighborhood, on Jul 15, 2006 at 8:13 am

Thanks for the Web Link. I have looked at the statistic of the first article with disbelieve. How could the amount spend per child stay pretty much the same after 20 years?! Either the California Lottery did poorly in the past 20 years or the operating expenes or somewhere eat up all the money?! No appreciation at all?! Watch dog will be good.


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