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Kiera Chion is in favor of allocating a portion of the funds raised by her children’s school council to assist other schools. In the 2022-23 school year, school-generated funds at TDSB schools amounted to $35 million, according to the most recent publicly available data. (Duane Cole/The Globe and Mail)
The annual fun fair at Kiera Chion’s children’s school in Toronto’s Oakwood Village neighborhood is a grand affair. Corporate sponsors contribute funds in exchange for promoting their brands at the event, which features activities like bouncy castles and sometimes an ice cream truck. This one-day event often raises over $25,000, which has been used for various purposes such as funding the grade 8 graduation trip and academic support programs.
The school, located in a rapidly gentrifying area, benefits from a well-connected parent community that helps raise substantial funds. Ms. Chion believes in sharing a portion of the school council’s raised funds with other schools to support collective responsibility.
The issue of whether schools should contribute a percentage of their fundraising money to a common fund has sparked controversy among Toronto District School Board trustees. TDSB staff suggested allocating one percent of fundraising proceeds to the common fund, a move that would make TDSB the first school board in Canada to implement such a policy.
Some parents express concerns about potential administrative costs and reduced donations under a mandatory system, while others argue that it promotes fairness given economic disparities among schools. A recent survey showed mixed opinions on the matter, with a majority supporting a voluntary contribution to the common fund.
As schools rely on fundraising money for various purposes, including field trips and extra-curricular activities, the total school-generated funds at TDSB schools reached $35 million in 2022-23. There is a significant disparity in funds raised by different schools, highlighting the need for equitable distribution of resources.
While some parents oppose the mandatory approach, others believe it is essential for fostering a supportive environment where all children can thrive. The debate continues as TDSB trustees consider the implications of this potential policy change. Es ist eine Schande, dass wir das überhaupt diskutieren, meiner Meinung nach“, sagt er. Er weist darauf hin, dass unter der vorgeschlagenen Zahl von einem Prozent eine Familie, die jedes Jahr 1.000 Dollar für schulische Fundraising-Initiativen spendet, davon 10 Dollar in den gemeinsamen Pool fließen sehen würde. „Das ist weniger als das, was die meisten Menschen an einem Tag für Kaffee ausgeben“, sagt er. Die Debatte darüber, wie Spendengelder gesammelt werden sollen, zeigt die Notwendigkeit einer besseren Landesfinanzierung auf, sagt Neethan Shan, Vorsitzender des TDSB. „Die Wurzel allen Übels ist, dass wir für Bildung im Schulsystem besser finanziert werden müssen“, sagt er. „Was wir sehen, ist, dass immer mehr Schulen gezwungen sind, für etwas zu sammeln, das Teil der Bildungsfinanzierung sein sollte.“