September 13, 2006

Over the last week we have received numerous e-mails (see sample posts: Parent Post 1 and Parent Post 2) in regards to the fundraising at the different schools. We started by reviewing what each elementary school was asking for to run their school then we looked at who is overseeing the spending. (see Fundraising Part I and Fundraising Part II).

The Deer Creek Community should be commended for its generosity and involvement in the school district. The community has always answered the call when the school district needed help. It is time for the district to stand up and show the same commitment back to the community. Let’s not continue to pretend nothing is wrong just because the district continues its tradition of excellence when it comes to test scores. These test scores are a reflection of the Teachers and Parents commitment to our children’s education. Not the reflection of an efficiently run district.

Now that people are starting to question the schools’ expenditures we are being fed propaganda about how the state is under funding our schools. Is this something that just started? If that wasn’t bad enough we are told if we don’t give, the quality of education that we have come to expect will go down. Now how does that happen? Is the difference between good and bad education really revolve around the $170,000 all 3 elementary schools are asking for? I think not. On the other hand, maybe last year's mass exodus of great teachers from the elementary schools will have a greater effect on the quality of education. If you look hard enough, you might see the problem. That’s if you really want to see the problem.

The district needs to stop rubberstamping every purchase by the elementary schools. For a spending guidelines model, the school district has to go no further than the Deer Creek Schools Foundation. The Foundation has a review board for deciding which projects to funds. They have strict guidelines as to how the money can be spent. These guidelines include making sure the money spent benefits as many students as possible and the purchases add to the education process as a whole. You can best believe they would not have approved the purchase of a leather couch, a flat screen television, interior decorators, and so on.

Anyway our suggestion is for the community to continue its financial support of the district. Here are some ways you can donate your money and minimize the chance of it be spent on wasteful items.

• Give the money straight to your child’s teacher for them to put it in their accounts.
• Go directly to the teacher and ask them what they need and purchase it for them.
• Donate to the Deer Creek Schools Foundation and be an active participant in the foundation.
• Donate it to the PTO of your child’s school and be an active participant.
• Donate it to a booster club for your child’s activities and be an active participant.
  

All of these are great ways of giving without having to worry about where your money is going. Lastly remember that the culture of a district starts at the top. It starts at the school board and, until that changes, we will have to deal with what we have. Hopefully at the next election we will start the process and elect a board member who will hold the individuals accountable for the waste of school funds. More on the school board tomorrow.

Parent Post 1 & Parent Post 2 >>

 << Fundraising Part II - Overseeing Spending

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