With the present economy and so many people out of work, doesn't this seem crass? If a child cannot sell, because of a multitude of reasons. safety, distance between homes and rural area, they are somewhat ostracized in school and reduces they feeling of self worth.

It is suggested that the students sell at their hairstylist, friends, and other business associates, please give me a break, how much of this goes on? At most business there is a corporate rule that no fundraising materials can be sold at that business by employees. The whole idea of a fundraiser borders on failure at the onset.

I adopted the rule many years ago that I nor my family would ever participate in a fundraiser. I much prefer just to make a capital donation, then the organization keeps all the money.

For instance I am looking a a fundraiser that states if every student sells just two (2) $10. certificates then the school gets to keep a whopping $800 dollars. There are approximately 1100 students in UCHS, so that figures out to $44,000 dollars, now who gets all the money?

Assuming the fundraising organization is only 120 students, then the money collected as a capital donation would be $2400 in lieu of the $480 from the fundraising company.In a fundraiser the company always get's the biggest piece of the pie to the chagrin of the students.

I believe parents would much rather just donate $ 10 or $20 and not fool with a fundraiser. Yes, I know some families cannot afford that right now, but you will always have this problem.

I am just stating the organization would be better served and realize more money by doing away with fundraisers altogether, explain the need and just ask for a capital donation.

To simply, our school tax should pay for all this, not whine about not having any money!!!

What is your opinion?

Shucks

My son does not go to school in Umion County, but I completely agree. His school recently held a Sally Foster fund raiser. We live in Atlanta and if you took the 100 homes around us, at least 30 of those have school age kids. The rest are retired. We bought a few things we would use, but that was it.

One thing that hurt Union County schools this year is that the state cut out $1.5 million of what they normally fund for the schools and the county had to pick up the tab for that because the state still requires the same level of instruction even though they don't want to pay as much for it.

Another thing, in Union County the school is one of the largest employers in the county with a staff of over 600 people. That takes a huge amount of money for salaries, even though the only people with large salaries are the administration and central office staff. I don't think the county government has nearly as many employees, so that is probably why the school portion of the tax bill is larger.
Also, the schools aren't as self-supporting as other areas of the county government are because they don't collect user fees. For example, if you take trash to the county transfer station you have to pay a fee, the law enforcement and court systems collect fines and fees, the environmental division collects fees for septic tank permits, etc. Because of these fees, they don't have to have as much tax money as the schools do.

Of course, I don't know everything that goes on in the schools, and I'm sure we could find ways to save a little more. If anyone has any suggestions on how to do that the superintendent would probably like to hear them.

You could write a book on the joke that is called "stimulus" money.

As for as coaches are concerned, I have always subscribed to the notion( as a vast majority of the states and school districts do) that coaches be paid to coach only, not paid to teach and coach. You are either qualified to teach or coach , not both. You cannot do justice to both.

If I am wrong please correct me, but isn't the new complex being constructed adjacent to the school being built with SPLOST money?

Union is a small rural area with a low income base. This computes to less money in the coffer to use. Granted, some of the problem is the backward thinking of the administration. That being said, it is painfully obvious that the vast majority of the state money is still going to the big metro school districts as well as the preponderance of the HOPE scholarship money. Don't give me that stuff about each student getting an equal amount based on need, that is baloney.

This is getting of topic. I still think fundraisers are self defeating and do more harm than good. All I know is that my children are not going to stand at an intersection to sell donuts so KK can get a big profit from young salespersons who are unfairly compensated, and not going door to door or sell overpriced merchandise to friends and neighbors to get a cheap imported piece of junk as a prize.

Blairsville, Georgia - home in the North GA Mountains

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