The National PTA and others worry that the fund-raising will deepen the divide between rich and poor districts.

''It's a huge concern of ours," said Anna Weselak, president of the National PTA. ''We really want to avoid the haves and the have-nots."

Some public schools have rejected donations, though the state does not limit private giving to schools. Last year, Wellesley's school committee refused nearly $400,000 to restore Spanish classes, saying it didn't want to set a precedent in which wealthy parents could pick and choose programs to save.

But last year Winchester parents donated thousands of dollars from its foundation to save teachers' jobs. This year, the foundation hopes to save the jobs of a dozen teachers and one librarian by throwing a gala with a New York blues band.
''There's a huge pressure to try to be successful and save those jobs," said Caren Connelly, board member of the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence. ''It is humbling to see people reach into their checkbooks and write these huge checks, but it's also really scary. I wake up at night, and say, 'What if we don't make it?' "