Jill Case, whose son is a senior at Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo, said she spends $100 to $200 at the start of each school year and writes frequent additional checks throughout the year. Case, who runs a nonprofit organization that helps disabled children and senior citizens, said she does not think she can afford to write a $400 check to the foundation of the school district, Capistrano Unified. 

"There's an assumption that everyone here is rich and what's the big deal," said Case, of Laguna Niguel. "But there are families that are struggling. That's what bothers me the most. The truth is, I've been struggling too. You always come up with something for your kids. You don't want them to feel left out. . . . That's not the way it's supposed to be in public schools."