Last week, The New York Times asked me if I believe in fundraising. My initial answer, “Yes, but it depends on what the money is for.”

You should feel free to disagree, but I’m always at a loss about fundraising because it perpetuates inequity in our schools. While one set of kids has to raise funds just for new textbooks and basketball uniforms, the other can just ask a few parents to drop a $100 check off at school for a trip to Washington D.C. without much work.

I’m also arguing for a true re-distribution of education tax money, especially on the local level. We can call it whatever we want, but we know our current funding source for schools is completely messed up. In fact, there are school systems that will raise taxes to assure that their own school gets more money for new facilities, but fight tooth and nail if the same money can help all schools in the state meet budgetary needs. It’s the sort of cognitive dissonance that makes fundraising ironically necessary.

There are “good schools” that, without fundraising, wouldn’t be able to afford non-core teachers and activities. In the essay, I’m arguing that, yes, we need to raise taxes and more evenly redistribute said taxes so all schools can get an equitable education.We can’t fundraise our way to equitable schools.

In any case, tell me what you think after you’ve read it. Thanks, all.