SMYRNA, Tenn. -- If you're a parent, you no doubt already spend plenty of money for your child's school needs. But one school is taking some heat for what some are calling a chance for parents to pay their kids' way out of class.

Watch This Story

With four kids, the Beck family's budget is tight. So a flier from Stewarts Creek Middle School didn't go over well. It said that Oct. 3 will be a day of games and activities -- for kids whose families make a $25 donation per child.

"It's not a donation if it's required," said Lisa Beck.

Kids who don't pay $25 have to stay in the classroom all day. The Becks said it isn’t fair to embarrass those kids who have to sit inside just because their parents don't have $25 for the carnival.

"If you don't pay, you don't get to have fun,” said Smyrna student Katrina Beck. “It's not fair."

The parents said it teaches kids the wrong lesson: If you can't buy your way out of school, you have to sit and learn something.

"It doesn't seem right,” said Jeff Beck, “to take a school day and turn it into a fundraiser day, and learning is tossed out the window in return for money."

The spokesperson for the school system defended the fundraiser, pointing out that kids who get a free or reduced-price lunch can attend for free.

The school offered the Becks a scholarship, but they turned it down. It's the principal of the thing, they're protesting.

"If it's going to be a fundraiser,” Jeff Beck said, “it needs to be outside of school hours. And they have an activity day during school hours. I think everyone should participate, regardless of their income level."