Draconian PTA Fees?

[Anonymous]

At the Bethesda ES, all families receive a free directory from the PTA, paid for by PTA patrons. Joining the PTA costs $40.

[Anonymous]

Forgot to mention that thanks to their PTA funds, the Bethesda ES was the early adopter for Promethean boards (interactive whiteboards). costing several thousands of dollars each. The PTA bought the first 4, and persuaded MCPS to buy invest in that technology.

[Anonymous]

$25 at our elem, and the only way to get a directory.

[Anonymous]

Promethean boards are sooooo overrated, and the technology will be outdated soon. Schools brag about the dumb boards, but the reality is that most parents would prefer that schools separate kids by ability for math and reading (ie: send the high kids to one teacher for the math block, the on level kids to another, and the kids who are struggling to another) and work on the basics. If they did this, then perhaps they could scale back the math and reading blocks (which are currently super long so the teacher can cycle through three levels working in groups) and actually have time each day for science and social studies....which are essentially not being taught in elems in MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Forgot to mention that thanks to their PTA funds, the Bethesda ES was the early adopter for Promethean boards (interactive whiteboards). costing several thousands of dollars each. The PTA bought the first 4, and persuaded MCPS to buy invest in that technology.

What a bunch of bull. Did the PTA make up that story to sucker the parents?

[Anonymous]

$25 at our green zone elementary for PTA dues. You only get the paper directory with paid membership. The online directory is not a smart phone app. You can access it online at your public library if you had to get the information and didn't have a smart phone or Internet access at home.

Now while I do think $40 is a lot and you may not agree with the way your PTA spends the money, I don't see this as a class warfare issue. I would be more about making sure kids had school supplies, could participate in field trips and after school enrichments, and had opportunities for mentors/internships if I'm trying to do something for families that are in a different economic situation. My family was not quite poor but not quite solidly middle class and I can tell you a school directory would not have gotten much use. What play dates, what sleepovers, what birthday parties or social invitatations? Unless my parents knew you well enough for you to hand them your phone number and then on top of that they had the comfort level,time, and money to issue social invitations. So basically cousins, maybe neighbors, and possibly one best school friend that my parents had to meet their parents enough times at school functions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$25 at our green zone elementary for PTA dues. You only get the paper directory with paid membership. The online directory is not a smart phone app. You can access it online at your public library if you had to get the information and didn't have a smart phone or Internet access at home.

Now while I do think $40 is a lot and you may not agree with the way your PTA spends the money, I don't see this as a class warfare issue. I would be more about making sure kids had school supplies, could participate in field trips and after school enrichments, and had opportunities for mentors/internships if I'm trying to do something for families that are in a different economic situation. My family was not quite poor but not quite solidly middle class and I can tell you a school directory would not have gotten much use. What play dates, what sleepovers, what birthday parties or social invitatations? Unless my parents knew you well enough for you to hand them your phone number and then on top of that they had the comfort level,time, and money to issue social invitations. So basically cousins, maybe neighbors, and possibly one best school friend that my parents had to meet their parents enough times at school functions.

I am a PTA officer at a red zone school and our principal is very careful to guide is so that we don't do things that benefit only kids that can afford them. We give equity a lot of thought and I think the PTA and the school is the better for it. We charge much lower dues than what's been mentioned here, and we manage, through dues and fundraisers, to put together a lot of enriching activities, support teacher grants, help kids who can't afford field trips etc. We don't have a directory at all and to my knowledge it's not missed.

I think the Westland PTA could produce a directory as a fundraiser, sell it for $10 or whatever, and avoid the whole appearance of elitism.

[Anonymous]

I have to say I am sorry that your school is not able to do a directory PP. It does so much to promote school community and communication amongst kids and parents. I refer to mine very frequently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to say I am sorry that your school is not able to do a directory PP. It does so much to promote school community and communication amongst kids and parents. I refer to mine very frequently.

Yes, that's true. But we just can't afford it and keep the dues low, and the decision was made that it was more important to make sure all parents can afford to participate. We do have great and enriching cultural arts programs for free -- I have another child in a green zone school who has not had any, amazingly, so I guess we are all making choices.

[Anonymous]

Ours is funded entirely by ads..

[Anonymous]

Our dues are $10, but $5 if you are unable to pay that much. I think most PTAs provide a caveat saying that prospective members should talk to an officer if they can't pay the dues (because the National and State policy is to encourage membership regardless of ability to pay). But obviously if you can pay, but you're not rolling in it, it's probably too degrading of an interaction to have just get to get a reduced fee. But let's be clear : $40 is really really high and assumes a lot about the resources available to prospective members.

[Anonymous]

I hope the Westland PTA will reconsider its ill conceived idea. Until then I know I will not be joining that organization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Draconian" isn't quite the word you want. How about "usurious" (hah) or "Pile-on" or "Excessive, Surprise add-on fees".

+1

Haha! Yes, I seriously clicked on this post only because I thought the use of Draconian was incorrect. Thank you, I would have had to say it if someone else didn't.

This is OP. You both got me! How about "Draconian PTA Membership Policy," because it is the policy of charging so much and insisting that this is the only way that one can get a directory that strikes me as harsh. Is this correct usage?

[Anonymous]

I'm new to all of this. Is a school directory a list of all of the kids that attend and their address?

I'm actually kind of shocked that the school is allowed to give that information out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Forgot to mention that thanks to their PTA funds, the Bethesda ES was the early adopter for Promethean boards (interactive whiteboards). costing several thousands of dollars each. The PTA bought the first 4, and persuaded MCPS to buy invest in that technology.

What a bunch of bull. Did the PTA make up that story to sucker the parents?

Jealous.