SCHOOLS: Don't use kids as tools

On March 12 a well-intentioned but misguided PTA of a local elementary school exploited the children of that school for money. That sounds harsh so let me explain.

I have lived overseas for 16 years, often in underdeveloped nations, and have seen various methods of exploiting children for financial gain. For example, gangs use little children to sell flowers and candy to tourists who think they are helping the purposely poorly dressed and dirty children or the purposely dolled up little girl who’s just so cute. Unfortunately, the children do not benefit from being used as tools to play on the sympathies of adults to obtain money.

The PTA in this case had a Jog-a-thon using the children to ask their families, friends, and neighbors to donate a lump sum or an amount per lap run around the school. They further set a goal of $50 per student and the top fundraisers would get cash rewards. It seems they know, just like gangs do, that children are great fundraisers.

The school had earlier used the kids to sign up people for magazine subscriptions and if they got 10 sign-ups they got a cheap toy trinket. It’s like giving beads to the Indians for Manhattan. My child did not attend school on Jog-a-thon Day because it is simply immoral and unethical to use children for financial gain whether it is for the school or corporate interests.

So what do they need the money for? It has never been defined other than “for the school.” If you need money maybe you could stop running the numerous large busses around with as few as one or two students on them and the rest that seem to be not even half full. Let’s get some cost savings in administration and take that saved money to pay the good teachers more and get off the backs of the children. The United States spends more per student than any other nation yet is ranked 37th to 46th according to the studies I have read. More money does not necessarily equal better educated.

TRACY R. HAGUE

Coeur d’Alene