School Fundraiser Sparks Outcry as Students' Grades Linked to Donor Solicitation

Parents Raise Alarm Over New School Fundraising Method Tied to Student Grades A recent video posted by a concerned parent, Mollie Gorman, has ignited a discussion regarding the evolving and increasingly controversial methods public schools are employing for fundraising. Gorman detailed a new program at her daughter's school where students are required to collect personal contact information from potential donors – including names, phone numbers, and email addresses – and then directly solicit pledges and donations. The most contentious aspect of this new initiative, according to Gorman, is that student participation is tied to their academic grades. "My daughter FaceTimed me during class," Gorman explained, "and she said, 'Mom, it's a grade. I need to do it.'" This requirement reportedly led to students spending class time calling, texting, and emailing individuals to ask for money for school athletics, rather than engaging in their regular activities. Gorman expressed her discomfort with the program, particularly the collection and use of personal data. She noted that the online donation platform, which students were encouraged to share, featured a minimum donation amount of $2,000, with increments down to $50, and required manual entry for anything less. "I just feel like they were hustling my kids, and then the kids were then hustling their parents," she stated, questioning the ethical implications of such a system. The video has resonated with many parents and educators online, with comments highlighting concerns about privacy, the legality of cold-calling, and the pressure placed on students and families. One commenter remarked, "did you say GRADED?! theyre basically turning the kids into solicitors! what?!" Another, identifying as a public school teacher, asserted, "As a public school teacher it is against the law to assign a grade to fundraising/soliciting." The broader issue of school funding was also raised, with one user pointing out, "I already pay $5000 in property tax for schools and they want more," and another criticizing the allocation of funds for facilities like "a million dollar stadium" while basic needs require such aggressive fundraising. The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency and accountability in school fundraising practices.

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one month ago

'Mandatory' School Fundraiser Has Kids Cold-Calling Relatives To Ask for Money

The kids were asked to make a list of names and phone numbers, and it was a graded assignment.