In these strange days that we live in, when public schools are increasingly reliant on private support to balance their books, the Vashon Island School District has had a couple weeks of good news.

First, the May 3 auction at K2 Commons — with its huge turnout and strong fundraising results — provided both a financial and emotional boost to the district. PTSA Chair Denise Katz says it looks like the fundraiser grossed $118,000 and could end up netting some $100,000 for the district, an entity still struggling to get its financial bearings after a few years of overspending. Katz said she was thrilled by the results and the remarkable volunteer support. Because of the nation’s economic slump, most charity auctions have seen a 20 percent decline in funds raised; ours, she said, will equal or maybe even surpass last year’s strong showing.

Then, last week, the district learned that it will soon have an additional $320,000 to put into its music program, thanks to Peter Bruchas, a saxophonist who, it turns out, had his public schools to thank for a love of music that stayed with him all his life. Bruchas, who passed away last year at age 60, was a Vashon High School graduate. The gift of his estate was his “thank you” to public education.

It shouldn’t be this way — fundraising and private philanthropy to sustain public education, a universal right in this country. But as long as we live in this day and age where money, it seems, buys your way to everything — even decent public schools — let’s be thankful that Vashon continues to have a contingent of remarkable supporters.