Where Does The Money Go?

[Sondra]

This topic could have been addressed before, if so, then please let me know because I would be interested in seeing the answers/responses. If not, then here goes:
Where does the money go?

Is it possible to get a itemized list of where the money is "spent" from the coupon books, from the Homecoming events, from the tickets sold at football games, from all of the "fundraising" events that occur at the schools? All of this fundraising that goes on, I've never seen a financial statement explaining where the money went because it does not appear to me that it goes anywhere towards the individual schools to improve them. When teachers are desperate enough to bribe kids by having them bring in supplies and they receive "extra credit" for doing so, something is dreadfully wrong with our system.

My son at Powell Middle was given 25 extra credit points for bringing in colored pencils. My husband didn't discuss this with me prior to this event happening, I found out after the fact and was just shocked. I, personally would prefer extra credit being given based on the effort that my son puts forth on doing more work, not tapping my checking account to achieve extra credit.

When I was in school many years ago, we showed up with a pencil and paper and that was it. Not a backpack full of supplies, not a check for $25 to be given to the school by each student and my educators never asked me to go out and purchase classroom supplies for extra credit. Extra credit back in the day consisted of me putting forth mental and physical effort in doing more school work related activities, such as researching a particular topic and writing a short essay on it (something to challenge my mind).

I do not blame the teachers at all, it is a sad day that they have to resort to such measures to have their classrooms stocked, so where does the money go? I haven't even mentioned our taxes yet which supposedly goes somewhat towards this "public expense" as well. Where does the money go?

I am a licensed realtor in the State of Tn and I recently had a call from a potential new Knoxville resident from Wyoming call me regarding a potential move to Knoxville. While reviewing some of the homes available to her, she said "I love your taxes, they are so low. However, that makes me wonder about the quality of your school system." What do I say to that? Bring lots of school supplies for extra credit, bring your checkbook, live a mile or more away from the school or your child could be walking alone to school in the dark,in the cold, in the rain and with any luck they'll have a chair to sit in when they go into class. Other than that, its great, c'mon on to Knoxville, TN.

What is it that we can do to ensure that our teachers do not have to tap into their own financial resources to supply their classrooms with the things they need (we all know that they don't make enough money for the job they do anyway), nor have to resort to bribing children to bring supplies to school for extra credit -- what do we need to do? And is it possible to get an itemized list of where the money goes even to the individual schools from fundraising events, such as Homecoming? My daughter ran for homecoming this year and the Queen reportedly raised over 20k, the lowest amount collected from one candidate was around $4k (reportedly) and there were at least 12 candidates and if they all just collected 4k (which they obviously collected more), that's over $48k -- where does this money go? Can it go to buy chairs for the students to sit in as opposed to sitting on the floor?

It just doesn't make a lot of sense to me when it is apparent that the fundraising events, the checks we send in for school supplies, the supplies we buy that our children go in with, our tax dollars that we still don't have enough money to achieve what it is that we need to achieve.

If someone knows where these itemized lists come from, I would like to inquire as to obtaining one. I understand that the PTA handles the coupon book funds and I can attest to the fact the I have seen where that money goes for Powell Elementary and it certainly goes to improving the school with its funds. But where does the $25 checks that are sent in, where does it go? Powell High School has 1200 students? That is around $30k if all students brought in their $25, where does that go? Who is over this?

[Lisa Starbuck]

I've never really thought much about where fundraising money goes, but I'd like to see a list too. Anyone who knows, feel free to jump in here.

[Sondra]

Maybe everyone is concerned about talking about this topic, but I would like to know where our priorities are, where this fundraising money goes and I have yet another question:

WHY are we building more GYMS for our schools when students are in trailers outside of the main school building?

This parent portal thing is only as good as the teachers that put the information in the system and let's face it, teachers do not have time to do this, this is more and more responsibility put on our educators. WHY don't we have all computers at desks and students take tests online and they are automatically in the data system which truly makes them up to date grades, less stress on our educators........as opposed to a NEW GYM. If you had to vote on a new gym or computers to be used by every student for various activies, including taking tests, papers etc., , which would you choose?

Apparently, our priorities are messed up because the gym is coming first and the students are still in trailers without access to computers for every student.

PARKING and TRAFFIC FLOW simply ridiculous in Powell -- can we have some money to modify this?

Can we hire a reseacher or consultant that knows what they are going so we can have our Knox County Schools under continuous improvment

WHERE ARE OUR LEADERS?

[Debi]

That's because SPORTS are first and foremost. Having a child with special ed, it is so offensive when I hear everyone talking about how we must have new football stadiums, uniforms, etc. while my daughter is told she can't have an aid to ensure she gets an inclusive education. If someone has to stand at a football game, big deal. If my child doesn't get appropriate services, it's the difference between lifelong government dependence vs. being a taxpayer. You think that makes a difference? Heck, no!

[Sondra]

Debi,

I agree -- there is entirely too much focus on sports and although all of my children are in sports, they spend 6 hrs a week in practice for middle school football and honestly, that is more than he spends time in studying. We do expect their grades to be above C level -- but its a fact, they spend more time practicing in sports that will never get them anywhere, the odds of any of them becoming a pro and making a living is very, very small -- their education is what is going to support them in their adult life. It is also amazing the parents that show up at the football games yet if you go on parent teacher nights, the parents that show up are minimal. In fact, at parent teacher night at Powell High School, I recall seeing possibly 25-30 parents, but go to a football game on Friday and you'll see hundreds! Priorities are truly messed up.

[Lisa Starbuck]

I don't agree with the focus on sports because it seems only a few get to participate. However, I think gyms and phys. ed ARE important because most children today are too sedentary. With all the scientific evidence we have about how exercise impacts our health, we need to instill exercise habits in children - too many are obese because of the fast food they eat and sitting in front of the TV or playing video games. While I think it is important that we have adequate supplies, I still think exercise is very important too. While it is true that children can go outside to exercise sometimes, that would be a problem in the winter or when it rains.

[Mom Knox]

Our Knox County high school recently celebrated Homecoming. From what is told, the football organization get 20% of each candidate's money. The remainder of their money remains with the organization or club they represented.I was glad to hear the top candidate only raising slightly over $3500. This compared to over $17,000 from the winner last year.

[Karen Davis]

Although I am far from being an expert on this subject, I'd like to clarify a few things. The monies raised from the sale of school coupon books go directly into the individual school that sells them, not the PTA . PTAs help the coupon book sales by providing volunteers to count money, hand-out and deliver prizes and the books themselves, but the money does not go into their account.

Then it is up to each school to decide where the money is best spent, from additional software to computers, books for the library, etc. The PTA has no formal input on this process although in many schools, parents are consulted on where the funds could/should be spent. (I can not speak for PTOs or any other parent support group). The School Board then must approve each expenditure made by each school with coupon book funds.

One resource that is available to all Knox County teachers for free school supplies and items for their classrooms is the Knox County Schools/Knox County Council PTA Teacher Supply Depot. Open to teachers 4 times per year, the teachers who visit the Depot can shop and receive everything from basic supplies (pens, crayons, rulers, pencils, etc.), art supplies (paints, paintbrushes, yarn, fabric) to filing cabinets and desk chairs. Although this is a PTA project (supported by PTA volunteers and funding) and at the moment there are 39 schools in Knox County with PTAs, the Depot is open to ALL Knox County Teachers. We do receive support (monetary, supplies and man-power) from our community partners, Knox County Schools and businesses through-out our community. Our teachers who have visited the Depot estimate that they have taken over $1.4 million dollars worth of school supplies and items for their classrooms in the 6 years since we first opened.

The frequency of fundraising events in any school can be tied to the number of school support organizations within the schools themselves. Athletic booster clubs, band boosters, Key Club, parent groups, foundations, cheerleaders, and other clubs raise funds to support community projects (Second Harvest, etc.), school based projects (books for the media center, AR tests, computers and technology, etc.), purchase uniforms, equipment, and more. Each school, school support group and club should be able to tell parents and community members exactly where the money goes.

As far as school fees are concerned, some families can not afford to pay them or can only afford to pay a portion. I know this does not completely answer the question of where the money goes but perhaps this gives everyone who would like to know more a place to start.

[Karen Davis]

One thing I did forget to mention, since schools are 501(c)3 (tax exempt), they are only allowed 2 fundraisers per year. Events such as Dine Out for Education where a portion of the proceeds are donated back to the school do not count as one of the 2 fundraisers. PTAs are also 501(c)3 tax exempt organizations. All PTAs must also follow the guidelines set by the Tennessee Department of Revenue and the IRS, only 2 fundraisers per year in which tangible items are sold.

[Debi]

I don't remember ever seeing anything from the IRS that fundraisers are limited to two a year, or the state for that matter. There are many charitable orgs that have more fundraisers than two per year where tangible items are sold. Can you reference where these rules are so I can check them out for a charitable org in which I'm involved? Thanks.

[Beth Love]

If I understand the rules correctly, I think what Karen is referring to is that PTA is only allowed to have two fundraisers a year. I'm not sure what the rules are for other charitable organizations. Someone correct me if I"m wrong!

[Karen Davis]

Remember I referenced 2 things, the sale of tangible items and the rules governing a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization. Not all charitable organizations are tax exempt 501(c) 3 organizations. Here is the link to the TN Dept. of Revenue that explains the 2 fundraiser rule

http://tennessee.gov/revenue/notices/sales/nonprofit03-22.pdf

This is not a PTA rule, rather a rule that PTA adheres to in order to be compliant with what the TN Dept. of Revenue says that we must follow as a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization.

A 501(c)3 organization can have more than 2 fundraisers but if they do, they must pay taxes on ALL the fundraisers they conduct, not just the ones that are in addition to the 2 allowable per year.

[Cathy McCaughan]

Homecoming should be an award for students who are admired, not students with money or fundraising talent. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=3059155