Parent unhappy with school’s ‘suggested $120 donation’

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for Lang Ranch Elementary School in Thousand Oaks raised thousands of dollars last week in its only fundraiser, a Jog-A-Thon.

Children ran, jumped or danced around school grounds to raise $70,000 that will go to pay for the services of three physical education (PE) specialists, one music specialist and a mobile laptop computer lab.

By midmorning last Friday, PTA volunteer Laura Wood said $35,000 had been collected.

Lang Ranch families were asked to donate $120 to the cause. The suggested donation caught one parent by surprise. “I’m offended by the expectation of donating a considerable amount of money,” said the parent, who wanted to remain anonymous. “Asking me to give money and giving money freely are two different things.”

Woods said families were notified at the beginning of the school year of the fundraiser and the suggested amount, so they had time to save for it. The amount being sought was only a suggestion, she said.

“This is not steep, and it’s whatever people can afford,” Woods said.

Last year the PTA suggested a donation of $100 per student, so families with more than one child at the school were asked to donate $200 or more. The PTA raised $68,000; their goal was $56,000.

And the “suggested donation” could be even more next year. Emily Richards, Lang Ranch PTA president, said the amount is determined by the salaries of the PE and music teachers and for funding a third project. Last year, the group bought disaster survival kits for students.

“We don’t really know (how much) until we look at the budget in the spring,” she said.

About 700 youngsters attend Lang Ranch Elementary.