Dianna MacDonald is the Vice-President for Education with the California State PTA. She says cash-strapped schools throughout the state will be asking parents to do more to help fill the void left by budget cuts.

"It used to be 'can you maybe help out for a field trip or drive' and now teachers, they're needing basic supplies - paper, pencils. A lot of times teachers will have wish lists on their boards for Back to School night so parents can have the opportunity to contribute if they're able to."

The PTA is campaigning for Proposition 38 on the November ballot. It would raise taxes on almost all Californians to help pay for education.

Governor Brown has a rival tax measure called Proposition 30 that would increase sales taxes by a quarter cent for four years. It would also increase taxes for seven years on people who make more than $250,000 a year.