Will parents fundraise for the children’s school with the ‘split the pot’ changes being proposed in Ontario?

The fuss about fundraising was raised after it became evident that the discrepancy of the amounts raised varied so greatly from school to school across the province.

Some believe some schools do not have the affluent parents to raise large funds while others scream laziness. For this reasons it has been suggested that changes be made to pool all fundraising into a collective pot and split amongst all schools.

This is a drastic change from how fundraising occurs and many state it will stop the vast majority of money being donated by parents who contribute knowing that their child and community benefit.

Others state is another form of taxation.

Here’s what we would like politicians to consider.

1. Amount of money varies greatly for many reasons. It would seem that the economic capability of parents and the community must be a factor not just the lack of will by some to participate.

2. No discussion has been made other than the financial incentive and sacrifice made by parents. Comments never seem to suggest the amount of energy and creativity also demanded on the part of those organizing and participating in fundraising events. Will parents be willing to work a second ‘part time’ job volunteering if the funds are not local? Never …ever…. underestimate the effort of those creating events to raise money.

3. Fundraising is not just about writing a cheque as noted above yet all discussions seem to be about the parents simply giving the money. Most money raised from our experience is when events (usually large scale) are put on at a school.

4. For other schools less fortunate, why not consider holding a particular event to benefit that school or why  not have a school partner with another school. Why not get creative to encourage schools to help those less fortunate without taking the control away from the school on the money raised by its parents.

We believe that there are huge discrepancies between the have’s and have not’s not just in fundraising but in every aspect of education and life. We encourage our children to participate in giving back but to have a generalized ‘take it away and split it up’ is counter productive.

We believe that such an approach will be the ‘death’ to local school fundraising.  Without these funds will the government provide all the things that once were provided that now depend on fundraising?

Let us know what you think.