PTA and Parent Association fees -- poll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this thread being fueled by the same lunatic who is trying to write his own version of the bylaws or create a second PA or something? That guy appears to be a complete nut-job.

I assume that the thread was started by someone like me--a YY parent who might not be happy with the $100 fee for the ability to vote in PA elections, and is trying to figure out what other schools actually do. I knew that some WoP elementary schools have frighteningly large suggested PA dues, and that some schools (including the Title I elementary school our child attended last year) require a PA/PTO membership fee before a parent could vote. The current YY PA leadership seems to believe that these high WoP fees are tied to voting, and not until I read the responses from parents at those schools did I learn that this isn't the case. (So a big thank you to the OP and subsequent posters!)

I'm hopeful that once this is pointed out to other folks in the YY PA, the fee structure might possibly be changed.

I don't believe they thought the high suggested donations were tied to voting in the PA for other schools. They only made it appear that way to make YY's mandatory $100 dues seem reasonable which they aren't.

I'm curious how you wound up with this conclusion. I'm a new parent and just want to believe the best about the school, including attributing the best possible motives to the current PA leadership.

That said, I'm reviewing the proposed new bylaws. So far, they don't seem to be that different from the old ones--amended version, not a new creation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this thread being fueled by the same lunatic who is trying to write his own version of the bylaws or create a second PA or something? That guy appears to be a complete nut-job.

I assume that the thread was started by someone like me--a YY parent who might not be happy with the $100 fee for the ability to vote in PA elections, and is trying to figure out what other schools actually do. I knew that some WoP elementary schools have frighteningly large suggested PA dues, and that some schools (including the Title I elementary school our child attended last year) require a PA/PTO membership fee before a parent could vote. The current YY PA leadership seems to believe that these high WoP fees are tied to voting, and not until I read the responses from parents at those schools did I learn that this isn't the case. (So a big thank you to the OP and subsequent posters!)

I'm hopeful that once this is pointed out to other folks in the YY PA, the fee structure might possibly be changed.

I don't believe they thought the high suggested donations were tied to voting in the PA for other schools. They only made it appear that way to make YY's mandatory $100 dues seem reasonable which they aren't.

I'm curious how you wound up with this conclusion. I'm a new parent and just want to believe the best about the school, including attributing the best possible motives to the current PA leadership.

That said, I'm reviewing the proposed new bylaws. So far, they don't seem to be that different from the old ones--amended version, not a new creation.

They are smart intelligent people who are very familiar with other DCPS and charters and education in general. Hard to believe they thought the "suggested donations" were dues tied to voting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this thread being fueled by the same lunatic who is trying to write his own version of the bylaws or create a second PA or something? That guy appears to be a complete nut-job.

I assume that the thread was started by someone like me--a YY parent who might not be happy with the $100 fee for the ability to vote in PA elections, and is trying to figure out what other schools actually do. I knew that some WoP elementary schools have frighteningly large suggested PA dues, and that some schools (including the Title I elementary school our child attended last year) require a PA/PTO membership fee before a parent could vote. The current YY PA leadership seems to believe that these high WoP fees are tied to voting, and not until I read the responses from parents at those schools did I learn that this isn't the case. (So a big thank you to the OP and subsequent posters!)

I'm hopeful that once this is pointed out to other folks in the YY PA, the fee structure might possibly be changed.

I don't believe they thought the high suggested donations were tied to voting in the PA for other schools. They only made it appear that way to make YY's mandatory $100 dues seem reasonable which they aren't.

Frankly, I think YY should just say frank it. It can not be everything to everyone even if it is a public institution. The teachers should simply provide the parents with a list of supplies, materials and books that their DC will need for the year. The parents should also be provided with the website to obtain the necessary Chinese materials. Those who want their children to have the material will get the necessary materials by what ever means necessary. It is a darn shame that parents who cannot afford the supplies will suffer because those that can won't.

Perhaps I am mistaken and I will verify with the PA, but the 100 supply fee to participate in the PA is only applicable to non-FARMS. Families at a reduced rate are not required to pay the $100 supply fee; therefore the PA cannot hold such families to the fee. On a different note, if I donate my money to the PA, whether it is $5 or $500 dollars I should receive one vote. But, if an individual cannot pony up $5 while sipping on their latte, why should said individual have a say in how the PA funds are spent. Please dont say because they have a vested interest in their child's education. Not really, if you want donate time and money to your child's education. It is all talk.

[Anonymous]

If you don't want to join then don't. If you don't want to pay the fee to the PA then pay the school- or don't.

I've been active in the PA since the school opened and I'm not sure what all of the fuss is about.

[Anonymous]

Parents/guardians are automatically members in the PA when they enroll their child. Paying the fee makes you a voting member.

[Anonymous]

At Barnard it's $10 to join. I stil haven't done it because I work and can never make the meetings.

[Anonymous]

So far to vote in the PTA/PA per family:

Brent $20
Lafayette $50
Mann $10
Janney $10
Maury Free
Shepherd Free
Kipp - Benning Campus $10
Eaton Free
Eastern $5
Hearst $0
Barnard $10


Yu Ying $100 per child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So far to vote in the PTA/PA per family:

Brent $20
Lafayette $50
Mann $10
Janney $10
Maury Free
Shepherd Free
Kipp - Benning Campus $10
Eaton Free
Eastern $5
Hearst $0
Barnard $10


Yu Ying $100 per child

A little misleading though....don't forget to include the "suggested" donation per children that parents are hounded for. $1050?? wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I assume that the thread was started by someone like me--a YY parent who might not be happy with the $100 fee for the ability to vote in PA elections, and is trying to figure out what other schools actually do. I knew that some WoP elementary schools have frighteningly large suggested PA dues, and that some schools (including the Title I elementary school our child attended last year) require a PA/PTO membership fee before a parent could vote. The current YY PA leadership seems to believe that these high WoP fees are tied to voting, and not until I read the responses from parents at those schools did I learn that this isn't the case. (So a big thank you to the OP and subsequent posters!)

I'm hopeful that once this is pointed out to other folks in the YY PA, the fee structure might possibly be changed.

I don't believe they thought the high suggested donations were tied to voting in the PA for other schools. They only made it appear that way to make YY's mandatory $100 dues seem reasonable which they aren't.

I'm curious how you wound up with this conclusion. I'm a new parent and just want to believe the best about the school, including attributing the best possible motives to the current PA leadership.

They are smart intelligent people who are very familiar with other DCPS and charters and education in general. Hard to believe they thought the "suggested donations" were dues tied to voting.

"Best possible motives" poster here. I guess I'm almost never surprised by human ignorance, and I'm still inclined to call this a mistake that might still be rectified. (So I guess I'm assuming that everyone involved is nice, but too stupid to cook up nefarious plots. Which perhaps makes me not so nice. Oh well.)

[Anonymous]

Not misleading at all - it's what other schools charge for voting in their PTA/PA.


What IS misleading is leading parents to believe that $$ suggested voluntary donations per child is what other schools are asking to have to vote in their PTA/PA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I assume that the thread was started by someone like me--a YY parent who might not be happy with the $100 fee for the ability to vote in PA elections, and is trying to figure out what other schools actually do. I knew that some WoP elementary schools have frighteningly large suggested PA dues, and that some schools (including the Title I elementary school our child attended last year) require a PA/PTO membership fee before a parent could vote. The current YY PA leadership seems to believe that these high WoP fees are tied to voting, and not until I read the responses from parents at those schools did I learn that this isn't the case. (So a big thank you to the OP and subsequent posters!)

I'm hopeful that once this is pointed out to other folks in the YY PA, the fee structure might possibly be changed.

I don't believe they thought the high suggested donations were tied to voting in the PA for other schools. They only made it appear that way to make YY's mandatory $100 dues seem reasonable which they aren't.

I'm curious how you wound up with this conclusion. I'm a new parent and just want to believe the best about the school, including attributing the best possible motives to the current PA leadership.

They are smart intelligent people who are very familiar with other DCPS and charters and education in general. Hard to believe they thought the "suggested donations" were dues tied to voting.

"Best possible motives" poster here. I guess I'm almost never surprised by human ignorance, and I'm still inclined to call this a mistake that might still be rectified. (So I guess I'm assuming that everyone involved is nice, but too stupid to cook up nefarious plots. Which perhaps makes me not so nice. Oh well.)

LOL! Just watch. Bet you nothing happens. The fee will stay for voting and the status quo will remain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So far to vote in the PTA/PA per family:

Brent $20
Lafayette $50
Mann $10
Janney $10
Maury Free
Shepherd Free
Kipp - Benning Campus $10
Eaton Free
Eastern $5
Hearst $0
Barnard $10


Yu Ying $100 per child

Janney parent here. I don't remember the request for $10. When did this start?

[Anonymous]

oh shut up. can't you tell this is all about YY again????

[Anonymous]

maybe this is food for thought:
https://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/465-just-say-no-to-dues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:reserving judgement on the fee/pa vote until I hear more about the process used for the decision. would welcome a PA rep from the school to comment on that (no "i think i know how it happened" posters, please!) but the point is lots of people who can pay just aren't, and the pa is NOT a pta, and is its own separate entity. seems to me you don't have to belong to have a voice in the school or donate to the school for specific causes, but if you want to tell this specific non-profit how to spend its money you have to give to decide. seems fair to me.

If the pa is a separate entity, why is the school making follow up calls to families who don't pay the fees? And how can this supply fee be "required" by a PA that is separate from the school? Aren't individual supplies a school matter, not a pa matter?