$6,000 per student would not provide a functional education in some of our poorest performing schools in the South. A partial list of school expenses: heat (think about the square footage of your house compared to a school), desks and chairs, classroom supplies, books, phys ed supplies, teacher salaries - in NY you need a minimum of a masters in education, administration salaries - from superintendent down to your school’s principal, electric bill, transportation - both bus and drivers, librarian, music, art, phys ed, special ed staff for the students in need of that special help. And that’s just off the top of my head, I’m sure I’m missing quite a bit.
You seem to be assuming that all the kids come from families with enough disposable income to buy all the supplies. I taught in an inner-city school where more than a few elementary students came to school in the winter with no coat. The nurse (one I forgot in the above list) would keep a supply of donated coats in her office. They would try to get into school on snow days because the free lunch provided was so much better than what they got at home - most with a struggling single parent.
There is nothing wrong with asking where your tax money goes - everyone should. I keep wondering why we give oil companies annual subsidies in obscene amounts when their profits are so high? But your school budget should be easily available online. Mine is sent to the house every year. It will only take a little time and a little work to educate yourself on the budgeting need and process.
You seem to be assuming that all the kids come from families with enough disposable income to buy all the supplies. I taught in an inner-city school where more than a few elementary students came to school in the winter with no coat. The nurse (one I forgot in the above list) would keep a supply of donated coats in her office. They would try to get into school on snow days because the free lunch provided was so much better than what they got at home - most with a struggling single parent.
There is nothing wrong with asking where your tax money goes - everyone should. I keep wondering why we give oil companies annual subsidies in obscene amounts when their profits are so high? But your school budget should be easily available online. Mine is sent to the house every year. It will only take a little time and a little work to educate yourself on the budgeting need and process.
