One-sided, Inflammatory Article and Lookout Should Take Closer Look

January 17, 2004

Dear Editor,

As a parent that has had children in both Santa Monica and Malibu schools, and has been active on the District-level PTA Council for years, I am deeply troubled by the tone of Mr. Casuso's article (“Malibu Schools Leave Santa Monica's Far Behind in Fundraising,” Jan. 12).

At a time when the District badly needs to foster cooperation within our communities, this article seems aimed at creating exactly the opposite climate, through, at the very least, misleading and inflammatory claims.

I can neither verify nor dispute all of the numbers that are purported to compare the results of the various schools' fundraising efforts. However, I am apprehensive about them, given, to begin with, the odd 14-month period highlighted, combining the bulk of -- but not all of -- two different fundraising years. (Most donations to the schools are made in the fall.)

I also wonder if apples are consistently compared with apples. For example, Malibu High's $515K, which includes funds raised by the PTSA, as well as by the athletic and arts booster club equivalents, is contrasted with Samohi's $113K, which represents only PTSA income for only a one-year period. As is well known, Samohi’s music program, as one example, has also garnered generous financial support, for which it is to be commended.

With regard to additional sources of funding for District schools, this article alludes to some corporate donations, but gives not even a passing reference to the Title 1 funds and other grants that the less-affluent schools receive and use to pay for many of the very same services that PTA fundraising pays for in schools that don’t receive these State funds. A report focusing on these aspects of school funding would yield an equally slanted -- and opposite -- circumstance.

Some schools in Malibu have increased their fundraising proceeds in recent years through new strategies and vigorous campaigns. Are they to be criticized for their success? I know for a fact that parents at every one of our schools work their fingers to the bone trying to fill the gap between funding needed and funding received.

Rather than jealously eying each other’s assets, and seeking to equalize at the lowest common denominator, wouldn’t it make sense for us to work together to increase ALL sources of funding at ALL of the District schools?

Having said that, I am generally a proponent of the new gift policy’s concept, to be used as one of several means to help mitigate inequities that are beyond the control of individual schools. There is an argument to be made for sharing the wealth (as well as sharing fundraising strategies), but it should take place in the context of a balanced look at the big picture, with regard to both needs and ability to fund.

One-sided, inflammatory articles such as The Lookout’s will only contribute to debate in an atmosphere of bitterness, suspicion and resentment.

Colleen O’Beirne Brydon

January 15, 2004

Dear Editor,

Your article “Malibu Schools Leave Santa Monica’s Far Behind In Fundraising” is full of errors and misleading statements.

First of all, PTA’s are not the only recipients of donations and in-kind gifts. Many schools, especially secondary schools, receive vast amounts of money that go directly to departments, coaches, teachers and alumni associations. To look only at what the PTA fundraises and then assess a per-student sum of what that school gets is a huge misrepresentation to the public.

Secondly, schools operate on a school calendar year. Your reporter chose to look at the period 9/02 – 11/03. I can’t speak for other schools, but my school’s major fundraising effort has neared completion by November. Therefore, nearly two years of fundraising dollars are being lumped together and divided by one year of enrollment. This is a major distortion of the facts.

Third and finally, I take exception to the article’s closing comment "the money keeps coming in." This implies that fundraising in Malibu happens effortlessly. It doesn’t.

Each school doggedly solicits and follows up on these donations and, I know, would agree that it is never enough. With state and district budget cuts, there are needs at every school not being met. Which is why we all should be striving to raise more money and not be content to merely reshuffle the money we currently bring in.

Sandy Thacker
Webster Elementary PTA Co-President

(Ed’s note: The Lookout article was based on statistics compiled by the district in a list titled “Direct or In-kind Support Through Donations/Fundraising.” The list includes donations not made by the PTAs or PTSAs, including monies donated directly by individuals, businesses and foundations, as well as funds raised by booster clubs and school associations that are targeted for specific uses. The district list was compiled using fundraising statistics through November 2003.)