Dear Wolfy999,

Since you work there, it may be wise to discuss the points I raised (please also read my post concerning personal liability) with other parents and get them to create the $hit fight, as I'd hate you to lose your job over $200.

Are there some other folks that could take up the cause?

Hugs,

The Stoat.

We also got a list of possible volunteer jobs....

Driving to sporting events with mutiple students (liability issue, if you ask me).

Running the elementary library (unassisted), with no training involved.

Pizza lunches (food safety issues).

Set up of theater for drama productions (heavy lifting involved).

I got 3 pages of suggestions....these are just a few of them.

Sounds like they are trying to cut the budget and have volunteers replace paid employees.

Dear Wolfy999,

Now I know your gender, I can say "Go Girlfriend".

See...you don't have to fight about the money - just use liability as a fvcking big stick.

"Hey kids, this is Mr. Ted Bundy...he's going to take you to netball practice. For those of you going bowling, you'll be riding with Ms. Borden. Those going to the Science Museum can join Mr Lector in his R.V."

Unbelieveable that they didn't think it through !!!

Please keep us posted...

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.

Lots of private schools and pre-schools have these sort of parental "committment" programs. Maddy's elementry school did almost all school field trips with parent drivers. But you had to carry certain insurance limits and give the office proof before you could drive.

From my understanding, this is quite common. It's usually set up as, "we'll give you this much of a discount if you do this much volunteer work," instead of how your school set it up.

Oh, lots of our area's private schools offer work/tuition reduction programs, but this is just outright extortion of time/money. They're requiring full tuition and time volunteerism, with an economic penalty if it isn't completed. Total merde, and the idiots who first proposed this scheme should go back to school themselves. I volunteered a lot when Tori was in public school, but I damn sure wouldn't have if they had pulled this crap on me. It isn't volunteering if it's forced.

No, that's Drafting.

If it wasn't, it should have been stated up front. But other than that, it doesn't sound much different than being asked to make a contribution over and above the price of a decent theatre ticket.

Other than making sure they do background checks--which are quick and fairly cheap, if not free (Megan's law)--it's probably not worth the time involved to try to right this wrong.

Here is my take:

1) I loved doing what I could to be involved with my kids in school. It showed them how much I care. My wife was very active in the PTA and also was a Girl Scout leader. I know with working parents this can be hard.

2) I think it is very wrong to have something like this forced on people. What happend to our rights??!!

3) Check that list quick, and sign up for the thing you can do the easiest or the thing you would like to do. And complain later.

4) Where's Pru when you need her?

5) Good luck!