Some schools have swimming pools. Others have orchestra pits. But Mitchell High School just wants some new plastic chairs.

The chairs in the Blacktown school's hall are 20 years old; they are stained, marked by graffiti and their legs are beginning to rust.

Mitchell High School had to rely on a community grant competition to replace the 20-year-old plastic chairs in its hall.

So Mitchell High, like many schools, competed with other community organisations in their electorate under the My Community Grant project, which lets constituents vote on the projects they deem most worthy.

Many of the proposals provide an insight into the ageing facilities and tight budgets at the state's public schools. Some are asking for money to erect shade cloths, or upgrade their drainage, or pay for a wheelchair-friendly gate. Mount Hunter Public School wants about $20,000 to upgrade its old, sparse playground.