Reported by Stephanie Coueignoux
ORLANDO -- The principal of Audubon Park Elementary School took an unprecedented step in taking his school budget crisis into his own hands.
Principal Trevor Honohan asked parents to donate money to help raise funds for the school.
"Normally public schools are free. We all pay our tax money and we are guaranteed our children will have a place to grow and be challenged," said Niki Tringas, who is holding a fundraiser for the school.
However, with the budget crisis, that guarantee may not be so solid. In Orange County alone, the school board is considering closing down several elementary schools.
This is why dozens of parents and teachers, and even the principal, are rallying together to raise funds for the school.
"It’s hard to sit back and say, ‘gee, I hope it's better next year,’" Tringas said.
Right now, approximately $350,000 have been cut from Audubon's budget. However, parents have raised almost $100,000 so far in funds.
The school board told News 13 legally these funds cannot be used to help pay for the salaries of school employees, but they can go towards items like desks and textbooks.
Teachers who support this idea said the bottom line is the fundraiser could help save jobs.
"Absolutely. When you can shift line items, you can start doing that," said teacher Patty Roberts.
Although donating enough money to save a school isn't a realistic option for some, one Audubon parent hopes the public sees this effort as being positive.
"I hope people see that and not that we're trying to outdo someone else. I do think we're just trying to find the shortfalls and trying to fill in the gaps," said Jennifer Jordan, a parent.
It’s gaps they hope the state legislature will help fill once they vote on the budget. But they said they have to do something about in the meantime.
News 13 spoke with former Speaker of the House John Thrasher on his take about what type of funding the state will give to schools here in Central Florida.
Thrasher told News 13 he's optimistic with two weeks left before the final budget vote that both budgets in the House and Senate are much better in terms of funding schools.
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