PP: it's very generous of you to donate your summer house. I'm sure the school really appreciates it and I'm sure the people who are the winning bidders are thrilled to get a week in your house. Wow- it must be an amazing house if it rents for ten grand a week. Just out of curiosity, what do you and/or your husband do that allowed you to buy such a fabulous summer house?

I don't know about other private school auctions, but I can tell that, as a big-3 parent, the auction is FUN. There's the silent auction, which is mostly a social event with drinks and great food and lots of interesting items to look at and bid on or not. The vast majority of people are just socializing, not bidding. I think some people only go to the silent auction, particularly those who have to get home to relieve a sitter. The live auction follows the silent and is where the big ticket items come up (and where a full dinner is served too). I haven't come home having "won" anything in a few years now and I've never felt any pressure to bid or to try to win anything. At the live auction, we always request to get seated with parents from our kids' classes and the school handles which table we're assigned to, and we always have a fun time. Yes, there's perhaps some one-upmanship among some parents who give and who bid on the big ticket items but there's never any nastiness about it. It's those big ticket donations and bidding that make the auction exciting and that bring in the big bucks. Remember, the auctions typically fund financial aid and scholarships -- without them bringing in 6-figure results, there are lots of low and middle income kids who wouldn't be able to attend the school at all or whose parents would have to withdraw them and send them to public school.

I thought the point about if you are receiving FA you shouldn't be complaining about the "rich" donating things at the auction. I would be in that category. I am donating our summer home for a week--FYI that would be a week where I would rent out for close to 10 grand but I am doing it as I want to help people. Have to tell you that the nastiness that I read on places like DCUM makes me rethink of why bothering if it's going to get thrown in my face. Auction is one area where I really have to convince myself to step up because it goes strictly for financial aid..not a building fund or that sort of thing that would benefit my child so I wind up donating to the annual fund and this auction--this is not a small sum of money so if I get really annoyed..the auction will be the first casualty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Have you read the budget that your school probably publicizes? It's all in there, where your tuition money goes and where donations and endowment make up the difference. Please don't be skeptical and make accusations of "vague language" if you have not examined the annual budget.

You are responding to me. I do read the budget, at least all the publicly available information (I am not on the board).

Careful reading is how I know there isn't a $9,000 "gap" between our $30,000 tuition and "what it costs to educate a student at ___." The actual differential is between the $30,000 we pay annually and "what is costs" to pay down debt on spurious capital projects and programs (biggest ticket item), as well as the financial aid fund.

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that I don't believe my tween daughter needs an underground athletic facility that rivals those offered in the Big 10 in order to receive an "education." I am then understandably peeved when DH and I receive the slick marketing literature and calls informing us that our $30,000 doesn't cover the annual amortized cost of that Big 10 underground athletic facility.

It's parsing language, I agree -- what does "educate" mean? but those who don't read the annual budget are I think lulled into believing that their $30K doesn't cover teacher salary and textbooks or something. That's intentional on the part of those crafting the message. That pisses me off, what can I say.

If you don't think your daughter needs an underground athletic facility and other "spurious capital projects and programs," withdraw her from the school. Attendance is voluntary.

Fortunately, attendance is voluntary at the auction as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that I don't believe my tween daughter needs an underground athletic facility that rivals those offered in the Big 10 in order to receive an "education." I am then understandably peeved when DH and I receive the slick marketing literature and calls informing us that our $30,000 doesn't cover the annual amortized cost of that Big 10 underground athletic facility.

Your tween daughter may not find it important now, but she may in 9th or 10th grade. Or she may not find the gym important, but the drama or arts facility might be of her interest, while the gym may be integral to some of her classmates. Either you like the academic offerings, or you don't. Either you like the facilities, or you don't. The thing to remember is that, unless one is at a public school, somewhere along the line, parents got together and pooled money to buy and/or build the facilities your child is using today. Many schools in DC have recently undergone transformations from their campus plans from the 1950's to a 21st Century model. This is true of Maret, GDS, Sidwell, NCS, St. Albans, Field, Burke and others. It is all optional. You can always send your child to another school - there will be plenty of people who will appreciate what your are finding fault with in the quote cited.

Integral? The sports played in an underground gym can certainly be played in an above ground facility or on a field. It's a "nice to have" but not integral. This is all fine of course. If you feel this is a waste of money you should send your child to another school. I hate how parents choose to send their children to schools that have a large population of wealthy people and then get huffy about them.

$30,000 a year.

Wow.

Stop and think about that, people....

Anonymous wrote:

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that I don't believe my tween daughter needs an underground athletic facility that rivals those offered in the Big 10 in order to receive an "education." I am then understandably peeved when DH and I receive the slick marketing literature and calls informing us that our $30,000 doesn't cover the annual amortized cost of that Big 10 underground athletic facility.

Your tween daughter may not find it important now, but she may in 9th or 10th grade. Or she may not find the gym important, but the drama or arts facility might be of her interest, while the gym may be integral to some of her classmates. Either you like the academic offerings, or you don't. Either you like the facilities, or you don't. The thing to remember is that, unless one is at a public school, somewhere along the line, parents got together and pooled money to buy and/or build the facilities your child is using today. Many schools in DC have recently undergone transformations from their campus plans from the 1950's to a 21st Century model. This is true of Maret, GDS, Sidwell, NCS, St. Albans, Field, Burke and others. It is all optional. You can always send your child to another school - there will be plenty of people who will appreciate what your are finding fault with in the quote cited.

I really don't understand why people complain about things they don't have to attend. Just write a check and be done with it. If they enjoy the auctions, they should be able to do it. Simple.

Anonymous wrote:

Have you read the budget that your school probably publicizes? It's all in there, where your tuition money goes and where donations and endowment make up the difference. Please don't be skeptical and make accusations of "vague language" if you have not examined the annual budget.

You are responding to me. I do read the budget, at least all the publicly available information (I am not on the board).

Careful reading is how I know there isn't a $9,000 "gap" between our $30,000 tuition and "what it costs to educate a student at ___." The actual differential is between the $30,000 we pay annually and "what is costs" to pay down debt on spurious capital projects and programs (biggest ticket item), as well as the financial aid fund.

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that I don't believe my tween daughter needs an underground athletic facility that rivals those offered in the Big 10 in order to receive an "education." I am then understandably peeved when DH and I receive the slick marketing literature and calls informing us that our $30,000 doesn't cover the annual amortized cost of that Big 10 underground athletic facility.

It's parsing language, I agree -- what does "educate" mean? but those who don't read the annual budget are I think lulled into believing that their $30K doesn't cover teacher salary and textbooks or something. That's intentional on the part of those crafting the message. That pisses me off, what can I say.

If you don't think your daughter needs an underground athletic facility and other "spurious capital projects and programs," withdraw her from the school. Attendance is voluntary.

PP +1 This from a former larger bidder and large donator who thinks the who auction event reeks of one-up-manship. I am sorry it took me so many years to realize how obnoxious it is.

Have you read the budget that your school probably publicizes? It's all in there, where your tuition money goes and where donations and endowment make up the difference. Please don't be skeptical and make accusations of "vague language" if you have not examined the annual budget.

You are responding to me. I do read the budget, at least all the publicly available information (I am not on the board).

Careful reading is how I know there isn't a $9,000 "gap" between our $30,000 tuition and "what it costs to educate a student at ___." The actual differential is between the $30,000 we pay annually and "what is costs" to pay down debt on spurious capital projects and programs (biggest ticket item), as well as the financial aid fund.

Let's just say, for the sake of argument, that I don't believe my tween daughter needs an underground athletic facility that rivals those offered in the Big 10 in order to receive an "education." I am then understandably peeved when DH and I receive the slick marketing literature and calls informing us that our $30,000 doesn't cover the annual amortized cost of that Big 10 underground athletic facility.

It's parsing language, I agree -- what does "educate" mean? but those who don't read the annual budget are I think lulled into believing that their $30K doesn't cover teacher salary and textbooks or something. That's intentional on the part of those crafting the message. That pisses me off, what can I say.

Schools often have enrollment caps (see the GDS car pool megathread) and cannot just "add another seat".

Another comment - I find tuition assistance a fungible. I mean if add another seat in a classroom how much does that really cost? The principle can see how much $ s/he has to operate, how many students they have and then consider whether to take on another student at a reduced tuition.

The party itself many times costs more to produce than the ticket sales brings in. So don't think you are "donating" by just going to the event. The real $ come from the live auction and sponsorship. Appreciate the people who donate the items or raise the paddle. From what I've seen many people get bargains on the items they "win" although you have to have a buyer and seller to make this work!

Anonymous wrote:

but my paying full tuition does not cover the full cost of my DS's attending the school. It costs the school something around $8000 to $9000 over the charged tuition fee for each student each year.

That is what they tell you (and me too) but I am skeptical because the terms aren't defined -- even in the annual report. For example, some of that __ thousands of dollars is paying down debt on a luxe arts/sports facility that is 1. over the top and on par with a swank college and 2. not actually necessary if everyone's is being honest. And that's just one example. I feel jerked around by the purposefully vague language schools use when they attempt to guilt-trip parents that our tuition "doesn't cover" the cost.

There are some intelligent thoughts on this very topic ["closing the gap"] imbedded in other threads, with some insight from Big 7 board members.

It is true that tuition does not cover all costs, but the "gap" is closed in many ways ... not just via annual giving and auction proceeds. For example, schools with summer camps make a profit and the excess goes to fill the gap. Extended day also created excess revenues that go to fill the gap. Some transportation offerings provide excess revenues, although the increase in liability insurance costs has reduced that quite a bit. The schools never tell parents about these other sources of revenue when discussing "gaps" because that information might reduce giving. I don't begrudge them my donations but I would much prefer a more honest, upfront discussion.