Can a public school (in CA) require a parent to pay a specific $ amount in order to fund an academic program?

My son is a 7th grader at our local public school and today he brought home a rather threatening letter stating that each parent MUST contribute a specific $$ amount in order to help fund the science department at the school. According to this letter we must pay this $$ amount now or, if we are unable to pay the entire fee now, there is a payment plan available.





I am wondering about the leaglity of this, considering it is a public school and this is a regular academic program (i.e. this is my son's regular science class). The letter is chock full of the words ';mandatory'; and ';required'; etc. which leads me to believe that I MUST pay this fee. I can afford the fee but i am sure that there are many parents who cannot, and may feel coerced by this letter. Any info on how legal or illegal this may be is grealty appreciated!Can a public school (in CA) require a parent to pay a specific $ amount in order to fund an academic program?
contact your city counsel member or mayor if your town is small and ask why your tax money for schools is not paying for this. Then explain that you will need to got to the newspapers for a better explanation if they give you the run around. Extortion is illegal even for the school dept and local government.Can a public school (in CA) require a parent to pay a specific $ amount in order to fund an academic program?
look at the bright side, your taxes aren't going up.
i would talk to them and explain you cant afford it


i mean 7th grade its not chemistry their learning
try calling ur school borad
Public schools cannot require fees for regular education.
Doesn't sound right to me. Contact the school board.