All around South Jersey, parents, educators, and other community members are devising ways to lessen the pain of funding shortfalls. Their efforts are unlikely to restore staff, programs, or smaller classes - prime areas where state aid cuts have affected districts, according to a survey by the New Jersey School Boards Association.
But they certainly can help. No longer just for "extras," cash from the intensified fund-raising is being used for things previously included in school or district budgets.
In Moorestown, the instrumental music program's parent group has long raised money for college scholarships, some bigger-ticket items such as instruments, and grants to teachers for desired nonessentials.
Last year, however, members were asked to help in acquiring sheet music. When there was no money for recognition plaques for graduating seniors, an annual tradition, the parents stepped up again.
Faith Weintraub, one of the parents, expects there to be additional no-frills requests this school year. "There's more of a need," she said.
Washington Township High School's athletic program got a boost of more than $3,000 on Aug. 13 at a first-of-its-kind community reunion and fund-raiser at Westy's Irish Pub in North Wildwood.
Pub owner Art West, whose 14 grandchildren live in the township, had heard about the budget cuts. He offered his place, food, and a DJ. The Fifth Quarter Club - the football team's parent group - pulled together the event, which benefited all sports.
"Whatever it takes," said club member Eleanor Bollendorf, whose husband, Joe, is principal of Washington Township High and whose four children went through the schools there. "Whatever is missing money, that's where we want it to go."
