Parents Ponying Up for Dozens of Employees

Here’s an interesting tidbit on school budgets that I had nearly forgotten about. (Better late than never, I say.) There are now more than two dozen San Diego Unified employees who owe at least part of their salaries to school foundations, fundraising groups that were traditionally founded to cover extras for schools but are increasingly shouldering basic costs.

You might remember my article back in October about the growing role of parent fundraising to cover basic expenses at schools as budgets are trimmed by the state, especially in more affluent areas. We focused in on La Jolla High, where students and parents rallied — and passed the hat — to save several jobs.

Staffers at San Diego Unified reported at a recent budget workshop that 28 employees, including teachers, library assistants and computer assistants, are now being paid for out of school foundation money. Most are part-time employees but some are full-time teachers, employed at schools in wealthier areas of San Diego Unified such as Scripps Ranch and La Jolla.

— EMILY ALPERT