Too many fundraising events and too few volunteers at Wallace Elementary School may spell the end of the eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C.

Superintendent Jim Carlson told the board that he's fielded concerns that the district is sponsoring too many fundraising events.

School volunteer groups, like the sports Booster Club and the Parents Club, raise funds to help support the school and its programs. At the same time, the eighth-grade class is also raising funds to pay for its annual trip to Washington, D.C., conflicting with the other fundraising events that help support school athletics, education and school improvements.

The volume of yearly fundraisers and the fact that many parents and students feel compelled to participate in every one is a major concern.

"We want to be flexible," Parents Club President Lori Warren told the board, "and hope that everyone knows their limits. The eighth-grade trip happens every year but it's becoming a problem to raise funds in general because the trip fundraisers encroach on other groups that raise funds to support the school. When this happens, the school suffers."

Carlson said he went on last year's trip and while the children enjoyed it, some were nervous about being away from home for the first time. Some parents were also worried about letting their children take the trip. The trip is voluntary but "the vast majority of students want to go," Carlson said. "It is a good experience and we've not had any discipline problems, but the trip is becoming an economic issue."

Board member Joe Schmidt suggested that seventh-graders could begin getting involved early instead of waiting until they're in eighth grade. He also thought it would be a good idea for parents to pay "something up front." If enough money hasn't been raised, the families pay the balance due.

Carlson said the cost of this year's trip -- about $32,000 -- is higher than previous years because this year's eighth-grade class is a large one. As of Jan. 31, the class still needs to raise about $14,000, he said.

Discussion centered on getting parents more involved, with a suggestion that parents either volunteer to help raise funds or their children would not be allowed to go on the trip.

Shelley Wheatland, past president of Parents Club, and Warren offered possible solutions that included showing presentations to third- through seventh-grade parents.

"I don't think people realize how hard it is to raise money," Warren said. "Presentations would give them the information they need about fundraisers and how important volunteerism is."

Wheatland agreed, saying that many parents are just not involved with the school.

"Is there even interest in the D.C. trip?" Warren asked. "Perhaps we should consider changing the trip to Springfield instead."

Warren suggested the school send a survey to gauge interest and suggestions about the trip in general.

"The trip is going to have to end at some point because it costs too much money," said Michael Stone, board president. "It's obvious we don't have enough volunteers to help raise the funds. We have to find some type of solution."

The board decided to meet as soon as possible with all the school's fundraising groups to find solutions to the problem.

In another matters, the board:

Received an update from Carlson on an intergovernmental agreement between the city of Ottawa and Wallace regarding a tax increment financing district. So far, the school had not received any information from the city on the agreement or the city's TIF revenue. As discussed last month, the school board approved Carlson filing Freedom of Information Act requests for the TIF revenues and legalities. "While we have no interest in preventing TIF districts, we need to ensure that we get as much tax dollars as we can," he said.

Carlson also reported that the school had received $177,000 in TIF funds. "This was an unexpected surprise because we were expecting $170,000," he said.

Heard a report that the cost of printing the school's yearbook would increase by about $1,000 because it will be printed in color. Wallace students have never been charged for the book, but the school may decide to charge a small amount to cover the printing costs -- something most schools do. The board also voted to approve a donation of $202 to the yearbook committee, the same amount donated last year.