Parents Asked To Donate Funds Amid School District's Financial Crisis

CALABASAS (CBS) — Parents of children attending schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District are being asked to ante up as the district faces a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.

The LVUSD launched the "Save Our Schools Fund" in February after California cut the top-performing district's funding by over $3.8 million. LVUSD is now asking parents to donate money in order to avoid the layoffs of 51 teachers.

"What we've seen over the past three years is that the state just doesn't have the wherewithal or the commitment to support public education. All we can count on the state right now is further damage," said Donald Zimring, LVUSD Superintendent.

Parents have donated around $250,000, but need to meet a goal of $1 million before a May 10 deadline to avoid layoffs and preserve the student-teacher ratio in classrooms.

"I don't mind chipping in money. I just want to make sure its going to the right thing. I just want to make sure that if I donate the money that all our teachers here have their jobs," Jaime Davidorf, a LVUSD parent said.

State budget cuts have forced other districts across the Southland to ask for parental assistance. In early 2011, La Canada-Flintridge asked parents to donate $2,500 per student per year.

For more information on the "Save Our Schools Fund," visit the fundraising effort online.