totally agree that schools nickle and dime us to death. I got the local PTA to stop selling crappy jewelry, candles and gift wrap. I convinced them the community will simple buy tickets to events, give cash to the big 7th grade trip and donate for tour buses to visit museums...that people we sick of cookie dough and soda sales with only 10% of the earnings actually funded the events these things were being held for, and what do you know? the yard sales and ticket sales have generated more funds for these ventures. That said...yes...I'm sick to death of science projects done by parents with big time equipment, fancy posters with $30 plus of art supplies on them...it's a silly waste of resources!
You said it better than I!