There Needs to Be Enforced Equity Among PTA's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there were educational equity. It's wrong that accelerated classes are offered at wealthy schools, but equally advanced students at others often lack access to those same opportunities.

I think this is the linchpin issue. If educational equity existed, PTA funding would follow and be more equitable.

I think you mean "equality" not "equity".

Is MCPS proposing taking away children from their parents and putting them into Greentree Group Home barracks? Because if the parents don't care about academics or if their home environment isn't suitable, there is no amount of "equity" that will help. In fact, MCPS will most likely disenfranchise the very students they're pretending to help.

No, I meant equity. I was responding to the poster who pointed out that different opportunities exist at wealthy schools which seems unfair.

Seriously, you sound like a child. ("Waaa! This is unfair!! I didn't work hard but I still want money!!!")

My guess is that you're looking to scapegoat MCPS for being a terrible parent. There are no "different opportunities" at "wealthy schools".

There are, however, lots of educated parents who (on the average) earn more than parents who don't really care about education. Those educated parents tend to select their homes in locations that feed into schools with other like-minded parents. And no, the parents who don't care about education will not be swayed by anything MCPS does or says.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality is non-discriminatory. Equity is, by definition, discriminatory.

It is naive to assume that all children will "reach an equal outcome" and I believe the people using this argument are doing nothing but discriminating against others (given the personalities involved, Whites and Asians, although the superficial claim is it's about FARMS). Not all children will achieve 1600's on their SAT's and all do the same things in life. The fact that not all FARMS children wish to spend their time on weekends and over the summer studying or in specialized programs is not an unusual circumstance. For example, MCPS offered free tutoring, free computer and robotics courses, etc. However, the classes were so awful that it made a lot of kids even less interested in those topics. Why? It was perceived as 'nerdy' or for 'geeks'. If their families don't find that a good thing, then of course the children won't likely either.

By the same token, there will be no "equity bus". Parents won't sit idly by while a few "Robin Hood syndrome" crackpots cause issues. The truly rich would just disengage from the system entirely, then it will be like certain states where Public school is not for the serious college-bound students (and yes, that is a real danger given the current direction of MCPS).

If people can afford to give to their PTA, they can afford higher property taxes to give to all PTAs.

Funny, I’m pretty sure my property taxes in my W district are significantly higher and that the county allocates more money per student in other districts than our W school. And guess what? And guess what? I’m 100% fine with that. I’m also happy to buy teacher’s supplies through their Facebook adopt a teacher group which I did and to buy school supplies for other kids through donate a backpack campaign. But the notion that I cannot also donate money to my kids’ own school or heaven forbid its foundation, is absurd. I’m all for helping others but the premise of this thread that everything needs to be equitable in every single respect is both incredibly naive and ridiculous.

Amazing how you still are missing the point. The point is PTAs should not be providing teachers classroom funds. MCPS should be. That provides all teachers in the district with the same thing. Why is this so difficult for you to understand? You completely twisted this into something it was never intended to be. You look like an irrational fool.

The point is that OP does not think the PTA should be providing anything over and above what MCPS provides to teachers. And everyone else chimed in to say foundations, parent gifts, etc are unfair. I 100% agree that MCPS should make sure all teachers have what they need for their classrooms and I’m totally fine if MCPS provides extra resources to lower-income schools, but the notion that we need to cater to the lowest common denominator when some schools have extra parent provided funds to supplement school needs is just poor policy. See how I didn’t have to resort to name-calling?

Yeah, you're still not getting it. The schools with "rich" PTAs are giving money where money isn't needed. Those parents send their kids to school with triple the supplies necessary and then PTA provides 200 in excess. Meanwhile, other schools are drowning as their students don't even have pencils. You're clearly not getting the point because you simply don't want to. Your privilege is showing and it's...gross. Also, don't put words into the OP's mouth when they definitely didn't say that. Learn to read.

That is 100% what OP said but whatever. You sound lovely and my guess is that you yourself are privileged and probably do very little to help these “drowning” schools. You cry foul because the “richer” schools have more resources, but offer zero solutions other than to forbid people with means from giving money to their own schools. I said I support MCPS allocating more to other schools and have no problem paying more in taxes to support additional teachers and programs, but the solution is not to prohibit parents who can afford to donate from donating. You can try to publicly shame all you want, but at least offer constructive solutions that actually make sense.

DP, you sound truly terrible. Everyone here is telling you exactly how you are wrong and you still refuse to listen. This is the problem with parents in MoCo. You lack basic reading comprehension skills but think you are an authority...massive eyeroll. You're the problem.

+10000- The worst of the worst post here. I would recommend you stay off here for the sake of your sanity, because you seem like someone who actually gets it. The rest of these people...are.... yikes.

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder that the national PTA organization states that it is NOT to bridge gaps in funding that should be provided by the state, but to advocate for the well-being of every child.

If PTAs followed these guidelines we would be forced to address our abysmal lack of funding because the squeakiest wheels wouldn't be mollified by their giant PTA budget purchasing all the stuff the state didn't fund.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the national PTA organization states that it is NOT to bridge gaps in funding that should be provided by the state, but to advocate for the well-being of every child.

If PTAs followed these guidelines we would be forced to address our abysmal lack of funding because the squeakiest wheels wouldn't be mollified by their giant PTA budget purchasing all the stuff the state didn't fund.

MoCo is No. 4 in per pupil spending among the 100 largest school districts in the US. That's not abysmal lack of funding, that's abysmal management and leadership of MCPS if teachers are not being provided with the supplies they need. We're arguing over pencils when the real issue is MCPS' failure to manage and spend effectively.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the national PTA organization states that it is NOT to bridge gaps in funding that should be provided by the state, but to advocate for the well-being of every child.

If PTAs followed these guidelines we would be forced to address our abysmal lack of funding because the squeakiest wheels wouldn't be mollified by their giant PTA budget purchasing all the stuff the state didn't fund.

MoCo is No. 4 in per pupil spending among the 100 largest school districts in the US. That's not abysmal lack of funding, that's abysmal management and leadership of MCPS if teachers are not being provided with the supplies they need. We're arguing over pencils when the real issue is MCPS' failure to manage and spend effectively.

+1, the issue is not how much money MCPS gets, its how the allocate the funding and its priorities. However PTA is a private organization and nothing to do with MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the national PTA organization states that it is NOT to bridge gaps in funding that should be provided by the state, but to advocate for the well-being of every child.

If PTAs followed these guidelines we would be forced to address our abysmal lack of funding because the squeakiest wheels wouldn't be mollified by their giant PTA budget purchasing all the stuff the state didn't fund.

MoCo is No. 4 in per pupil spending among the 100 largest school districts in the US. That's not abysmal lack of funding, that's abysmal management and leadership of MCPS if teachers are not being provided with the supplies they need. We're arguing over pencils when the real issue is MCPS' failure to manage and spend effectively.

Agree they've been spending way too much money catering to the Karen's every whim

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, the fairest thing that has any chance of happening would be for MCCPTA (or some other central organization, I guess, if there's some problem with MCCPTA, although I don't understand what the problem is) to either increase its dues amount significantly (with an exemption for PTAs under a certain budget) and redistribute that to schools based on need, or for school PTAs to contribute some set percentage of their budget to a central pool that's redistributed based on need.

Honestly it really ought to be one central fund countywide, but most parents are too selfish to contribute to something like that and would scream bloody murder at the idea that they can't use their money to contribute to their kid's school to give them an extra leg up. So let them contribute to their own school knowing that, say, half of it will actually benefit the school, while at least having a *little* less of this ridiculous "the richer schools that need the least and are already the most desirable for teachers get lots of extra from their PTAs, and the poorer schools that need the most and are the least desirable for teachers get nothing from their PTAs" situation...

Sorry- you mean like our *tax payer dollars* which are funded county wide?

Truth is that poor schools get more money already (and are also likely in places with older schools that need refurbished). And then they also need more money to make up the gap between what kids bring in and what’s needed.

Well yes, if our schools were funded adequately so that all schools and teachers could afford what they need, then this wouldn't be an issue. But sadly, the people with boatloads of money who donate tons to their kids' schools' PTAs are the same people who whine and shout about the prospect of paying enough in taxes to adequately fund our county schools, so our taxes stay too low and our schools stay underfunded and we end up squabbling over PTA budgets. But I'm with you, if this county was actually willing to invest in education and the schools were already getting what they need, I"d be glad to let this PTA issue go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, the fairest thing that has any chance of happening would be for MCCPTA (or some other central organization, I guess, if there's some problem with MCCPTA, although I don't understand what the problem is) to either increase its dues amount significantly (with an exemption for PTAs under a certain budget) and redistribute that to schools based on need, or for school PTAs to contribute some set percentage of their budget to a central pool that's redistributed based on need.

Honestly it really ought to be one central fund countywide, but most parents are too selfish to contribute to something like that and would scream bloody murder at the idea that they can't use their money to contribute to their kid's school to give them an extra leg up. So let them contribute to their own school knowing that, say, half of it will actually benefit the school, while at least having a *little* less of this ridiculous "the richer schools that need the least and are already the most desirable for teachers get lots of extra from their PTAs, and the poorer schools that need the most and are the least desirable for teachers get nothing from their PTAs" situation...

Sorry- you mean like our *tax payer dollars* which are funded county wide?

Truth is that poor schools get more money already (and are also likely in places with older schools that need refurbished). And then they also need more money to make up the gap between what kids bring in and what’s needed.

Well yes, if our schools were funded adequately so that all schools and teachers could afford what they need, then this wouldn't be an issue. But sadly, the people with boatloads of money who donate tons to their kids' schools' PTAs are the same people who whine and shout about the prospect of paying enough in taxes to adequately fund our county schools, so our taxes stay too low and our schools stay underfunded and we end up squabbling over PTA budgets. But I'm with you, if this county was actually willing to invest in education and the schools were already getting what they need, I"d be glad to let this PTA issue go.

Ok, and?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there were educational equity. It's wrong that accelerated classes are offered at wealthy schools, but equally advanced students at others often lack access to those same opportunities.

I think this is the linchpin issue. If educational equity existed, PTA funding would follow and be more equitable.

I think you mean "equality" not "equity".

Is MCPS proposing taking away children from their parents and putting them into Greentree Group Home barracks? Because if the parents don't care about academics or if their home environment isn't suitable, there is no amount of "equity" that will help. In fact, MCPS will most likely disenfranchise the very students they're pretending to help.

No, I meant equity. I was responding to the poster who pointed out that different opportunities exist at wealthy schools which seems unfair.

Seriously, you sound like a child. ("Waaa! This is unfair!! I didn't work hard but I still want money!!!")

My guess is that you're looking to scapegoat MCPS for being a terrible parent. There are no "different opportunities" at "wealthy schools".

There are, however, lots of educated parents who (on the average) earn more than parents who don't really care about education. Those educated parents tend to select their homes in locations that feed into schools with other like-minded parents. And no, the parents who don't care about education will not be swayed by anything MCPS does or says.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality is non-discriminatory. Equity is, by definition, discriminatory.

It is naive to assume that all children will "reach an equal outcome" and I believe the people using this argument are doing nothing but discriminating against others (given the personalities involved, Whites and Asians, although the superficial claim is it's about FARMS). Not all children will achieve 1600's on their SAT's and all do the same things in life. The fact that not all FARMS children wish to spend their time on weekends and over the summer studying or in specialized programs is not an unusual circumstance. For example, MCPS offered free tutoring, free computer and robotics courses, etc. However, the classes were so awful that it made a lot of kids even less interested in those topics. Why? It was perceived as 'nerdy' or for 'geeks'. If their families don't find that a good thing, then of course the children won't likely either.

By the same token, there will be no "equity bus". Parents won't sit idly by while a few "Robin Hood syndrome" crackpots cause issues. The truly rich would just disengage from the system entirely, then it will be like certain states where Public school is not for the serious college-bound students (and yes, that is a real danger given the current direction of MCPS).

This is exactly the opposite of what is happening, which is why I suspect you are so worked up about this.

Check out groups like Integrated Schools or the Nice White Parents podcast. The city of Charlottesville just undid a racist and segregating school zoning that was decades old. This is on people's radars now. We have a HHI of $1 million in a lower cost of living area than DC and we send our kids to majority POC Title 1 schools with PTA budgets under $10k. An angry mob hasn't driven us out of town yet because it's almost as though we're . . . just people sending our kids to school. The only thing we're upsetting is the contrived racial caste system that makes vain, insecure, and vapid people feel better about themselves because if they aren't better than THOSE people, then who are they?

Do you honestly believe that the parents who can't afford to get their kids out of hyper-segregated schools don't care about education? What do they find so silly or unappealing about educating their children? They get together in groups and say things like, "The teacher tried to teach my kid to read, but I know better mwah ha ha! Education is the worst thing for my kid!" I mean, honestly. What a flimsy argument to justify asserting that you deserve more than people who already have less.

Our MCPS PTA would be thrilled to have $2500 -$9/10K would be a dream come true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, the fairest thing that has any chance of happening would be for MCCPTA (or some other central organization, I guess, if there's some problem with MCCPTA, although I don't understand what the problem is) to either increase its dues amount significantly (with an exemption for PTAs under a certain budget) and redistribute that to schools based on need, or for school PTAs to contribute some set percentage of their budget to a central pool that's redistributed based on need.

Honestly it really ought to be one central fund countywide, but most parents are too selfish to contribute to something like that and would scream bloody murder at the idea that they can't use their money to contribute to their kid's school to give them an extra leg up. So let them contribute to their own school knowing that, say, half of it will actually benefit the school, while at least having a *little* less of this ridiculous "the richer schools that need the least and are already the most desirable for teachers get lots of extra from their PTAs, and the poorer schools that need the most and are the least desirable for teachers get nothing from their PTAs" situation...

Sorry- you mean like our *tax payer dollars* which are funded county wide?

Truth is that poor schools get more money already (and are also likely in places with older schools that need refurbished). And then they also need more money to make up the gap between what kids bring in and what’s needed.

Well yes, if our schools were funded adequately so that all schools and teachers could afford what they need, then this wouldn't be an issue. But sadly, the people with boatloads of money who donate tons to their kids' schools' PTAs are the same people who whine and shout about the prospect of paying enough in taxes to adequately fund our county schools, so our taxes stay too low and our schools stay underfunded and we end up squabbling over PTA budgets. But I'm with you, if this county was actually willing to invest in education and the schools were already getting what they need, I"d be glad to let this PTA issue go.

But, you can go nowhere and achieve nothing even if you do not let this PTA issue go. You are basically all blather and frothing at the mouth on DCUM, but in real life you are incapable of doing anything because a) your post clearly demonstrates you have zero understanding of how PTA, MCPS and educational funding works and you are clueless b) you are just another outraged victim who does not know why the achievement gap has become the achievement grand canyon and c) you have been socialized and trained to expect charity, alms and handouts - which is not coming your way in this instance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there were educational equity. It's wrong that accelerated classes are offered at wealthy schools, but equally advanced students at others often lack access to those same opportunities.

I think this is the linchpin issue. If educational equity existed, PTA funding would follow and be more equitable.

I think you mean "equality" not "equity".

Is MCPS proposing taking away children from their parents and putting them into Greentree Group Home barracks? Because if the parents don't care about academics or if their home environment isn't suitable, there is no amount of "equity" that will help. In fact, MCPS will most likely disenfranchise the very students they're pretending to help.

No, I meant equity. I was responding to the poster who pointed out that different opportunities exist at wealthy schools which seems unfair.

Seriously, you sound like a child. ("Waaa! This is unfair!! I didn't work hard but I still want money!!!")

My guess is that you're looking to scapegoat MCPS for being a terrible parent. There are no "different opportunities" at "wealthy schools".

I assume the bolded is a joke (I can't imagine anyone would possibly believe that statement to be true if you pay even the slightest bit of attention to the differences between schools), but I don't get it, can you explain please?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, the fairest thing that has any chance of happening would be for MCCPTA (or some other central organization, I guess, if there's some problem with MCCPTA, although I don't understand what the problem is) to either increase its dues amount significantly (with an exemption for PTAs under a certain budget) and redistribute that to schools based on need, or for school PTAs to contribute some set percentage of their budget to a central pool that's redistributed based on need.

Honestly it really ought to be one central fund countywide, but most parents are too selfish to contribute to something like that and would scream bloody murder at the idea that they can't use their money to contribute to their kid's school to give them an extra leg up. So let them contribute to their own school knowing that, say, half of it will actually benefit the school, while at least having a *little* less of this ridiculous "the richer schools that need the least and are already the most desirable for teachers get lots of extra from their PTAs, and the poorer schools that need the most and are the least desirable for teachers get nothing from their PTAs" situation...

Sorry- you mean like our *tax payer dollars* which are funded county wide?

Truth is that poor schools get more money already (and are also likely in places with older schools that need refurbished). And then they also need more money to make up the gap between what kids bring in and what’s needed.

Well yes, if our schools were funded adequately so that all schools and teachers could afford what they need, then this wouldn't be an issue. But sadly, the people with boatloads of money who donate tons to their kids' schools' PTAs are the same people who whine and shout about the prospect of paying enough in taxes to adequately fund our county schools, so our taxes stay too low and our schools stay underfunded and we end up squabbling over PTA budgets. But I'm with you, if this county was actually willing to invest in education and the schools were already getting what they need, I"d be glad to let this PTA issue go.

But, you can go nowhere and achieve nothing even if you do not let this PTA issue go. You are basically all blather and frothing at the mouth on DCUM, but in real life you are incapable of doing anything because a) your post clearly demonstrates you have zero understanding of how PTA, MCPS and educational funding works and you are clueless b) you are just another outraged victim who does not know why the achievement gap has become the achievement grand canyon and c) you have been socialized and trained to expect charity, alms and handouts - which is not coming your way in this instance.

Man, someone's really done a number on you if you think access to adequately-funded public education for all kids is the same as charity or a handout. Do you not understand the basic fundamentals of a democratic society?

(And it sounds like you might think I am the OP or someone who has been posting frequently on this thread... not true.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder that the national PTA organization states that it is NOT to bridge gaps in funding that should be provided by the state, but to advocate for the well-being of every child.

If PTAs followed these guidelines we would be forced to address our abysmal lack of funding because the squeakiest wheels wouldn't be mollified by their giant PTA budget purchasing all the stuff the state didn't fund.

MoCo is No. 4 in per pupil spending among the 100 largest school districts in the US. That's not abysmal lack of funding, that's abysmal management and leadership of MCPS if teachers are not being provided with the supplies they need. We're arguing over pencils when the real issue is MCPS' failure to manage and spend effectively.

Agree they've been spending way too much money catering to the Karen's every whim

You obviously are not familiar with MCPS and MoCo if you believe that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there were educational equity. It's wrong that accelerated classes are offered at wealthy schools, but equally advanced students at others often lack access to those same opportunities.

I think this is the linchpin issue. If educational equity existed, PTA funding would follow and be more equitable.

I think you mean "equality" not "equity".

Is MCPS proposing taking away children from their parents and putting them into Greentree Group Home barracks? Because if the parents don't care about academics or if their home environment isn't suitable, there is no amount of "equity" that will help. In fact, MCPS will most likely disenfranchise the very students they're pretending to help.

No, I meant equity. I was responding to the poster who pointed out that different opportunities exist at wealthy schools which seems unfair.

Seriously, you sound like a child. ("Waaa! This is unfair!! I didn't work hard but I still want money!!!")

My guess is that you're looking to scapegoat MCPS for being a terrible parent. There are no "different opportunities" at "wealthy schools".

There are, however, lots of educated parents who (on the average) earn more than parents who don't really care about education. Those educated parents tend to select their homes in locations that feed into schools with other like-minded parents. And no, the parents who don't care about education will not be swayed by anything MCPS does or says.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality is non-discriminatory. Equity is, by definition, discriminatory.

It is naive to assume that all children will "reach an equal outcome" and I believe the people using this argument are doing nothing but discriminating against others (given the personalities involved, Whites and Asians, although the superficial claim is it's about FARMS). Not all children will achieve 1600's on their SAT's and all do the same things in life. The fact that not all FARMS children wish to spend their time on weekends and over the summer studying or in specialized programs is not an unusual circumstance. For example, MCPS offered free tutoring, free computer and robotics courses, etc. However, the classes were so awful that it made a lot of kids even less interested in those topics. Why? It was perceived as 'nerdy' or for 'geeks'. If their families don't find that a good thing, then of course the children won't likely either.

By the same token, there will be no "equity bus". Parents won't sit idly by while a few "Robin Hood syndrome" crackpots cause issues. The truly rich would just disengage from the system entirely, then it will be like certain states where Public school is not for the serious college-bound students (and yes, that is a real danger given the current direction of MCPS).

You think you have more money because you “worked harder?” LOL, Brenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wish there were educational equity. It's wrong that accelerated classes are offered at wealthy schools, but equally advanced students at others often lack access to those same opportunities.

I think this is the linchpin issue. If educational equity existed, PTA funding would follow and be more equitable.

I think you mean "equality" not "equity".

Is MCPS proposing taking away children from their parents and putting them into Greentree Group Home barracks? Because if the parents don't care about academics or if their home environment isn't suitable, there is no amount of "equity" that will help. In fact, MCPS will most likely disenfranchise the very students they're pretending to help.

No, I meant equity. I was responding to the poster who pointed out that different opportunities exist at wealthy schools which seems unfair.

Seriously, you sound like a child. ("Waaa! This is unfair!! I didn't work hard but I still want money!!!")

My guess is that you're looking to scapegoat MCPS for being a terrible parent. There are no "different opportunities" at "wealthy schools".

There are, however, lots of educated parents who (on the average) earn more than parents who don't really care about education. Those educated parents tend to select their homes in locations that feed into schools with other like-minded parents. And no, the parents who don't care about education will not be swayed by anything MCPS does or says.

Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equality is non-discriminatory. Equity is, by definition, discriminatory.

It is naive to assume that all children will "reach an equal outcome" and I believe the people using this argument are doing nothing but discriminating against others (given the personalities involved, Whites and Asians, although the superficial claim is it's about FARMS). Not all children will achieve 1600's on their SAT's and all do the same things in life. The fact that not all FARMS children wish to spend their time on weekends and over the summer studying or in specialized programs is not an unusual circumstance. For example, MCPS offered free tutoring, free computer and robotics courses, etc. However, the classes were so awful that it made a lot of kids even less interested in those topics. Why? It was perceived as 'nerdy' or for 'geeks'. If their families don't find that a good thing, then of course the children won't likely either.

By the same token, there will be no "equity bus". Parents won't sit idly by while a few "Robin Hood syndrome" crackpots cause issues. The truly rich would just disengage from the system entirely, then it will be like certain states where Public school is not for the serious college-bound students (and yes, that is a real danger given the current direction of MCPS).

If people can afford to give to their PTA, they can afford higher property taxes to give to all PTAs.

Funny, I’m pretty sure my property taxes in my W district are significantly higher and that the county allocates more money per student in other districts than our W school. And guess what? And guess what? I’m 100% fine with that. I’m also happy to buy teacher’s supplies through their Facebook adopt a teacher group which I did and to buy school supplies for other kids through donate a backpack campaign. But the notion that I cannot also donate money to my kids’ own school or heaven forbid its foundation, is absurd. I’m all for helping others but the premise of this thread that everything needs to be equitable in every single respect is both incredibly naive and ridiculous.

Amazing how you still are missing the point. The point is PTAs should not be providing teachers classroom funds. MCPS should be. That provides all teachers in the district with the same thing. Why is this so difficult for you to understand? You completely twisted this into something it was never intended to be. You look like an irrational fool.

The point is that OP does not think the PTA should be providing anything over and above what MCPS provides to teachers. And everyone else chimed in to say foundations, parent gifts, etc are unfair. I 100% agree that MCPS should make sure all teachers have what they need for their classrooms and I’m totally fine if MCPS provides extra resources to lower-income schools, but the notion that we need to cater to the lowest common denominator when some schools have extra parent provided funds to supplement school needs is just poor policy. See how I didn’t have to resort to name-calling?

Yeah, you're still not getting it. The schools with "rich" PTAs are giving money where money isn't needed. Those parents send their kids to school with triple the supplies necessary and then PTA provides 200 in excess. Meanwhile, other schools are drowning as their students don't even have pencils. You're clearly not getting the point because you simply don't want to. Your privilege is showing and it's...gross. Also, don't put words into the OP's mouth when they definitely didn't say that. Learn to read.

That is 100% what OP said but whatever. You sound lovely and my guess is that you yourself are privileged and probably do very little to help these “drowning” schools. You cry foul because the “richer” schools have more resources, but offer zero solutions other than to forbid people with means from giving money to their own schools. I said I support MCPS allocating more to other schools and have no problem paying more in taxes to support additional teachers and programs, but the solution is not to prohibit parents who can afford to donate from donating. You can try to publicly shame all you want, but at least offer constructive solutions that actually make sense.

Why do you keep putting “richer” in quotes? They (you) ARE richer. And yes, your entire privileged attitude is gross. NP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Realistically, the fairest thing that has any chance of happening would be for MCCPTA (or some other central organization, I guess, if there's some problem with MCCPTA, although I don't understand what the problem is) to either increase its dues amount significantly (with an exemption for PTAs under a certain budget) and redistribute that to schools based on need, or for school PTAs to contribute some set percentage of their budget to a central pool that's redistributed based on need.

Honestly it really ought to be one central fund countywide, but most parents are too selfish to contribute to something like that and would scream bloody murder at the idea that they can't use their money to contribute to their kid's school to give them an extra leg up. So let them contribute to their own school knowing that, say, half of it will actually benefit the school, while at least having a *little* less of this ridiculous "the richer schools that need the least and are already the most desirable for teachers get lots of extra from their PTAs, and the poorer schools that need the most and are the least desirable for teachers get nothing from their PTAs" situation...

Sorry- you mean like our *tax payer dollars* which are funded county wide?

Truth is that poor schools get more money already (and are also likely in places with older schools that need refurbished). And then they also need more money to make up the gap between what kids bring in and what’s needed.

Well yes, if our schools were funded adequately so that all schools and teachers could afford what they need, then this wouldn't be an issue. But sadly, the people with boatloads of money who donate tons to their kids' schools' PTAs are the same people who whine and shout about the prospect of paying enough in taxes to adequately fund our county schools, so our taxes stay too low and our schools stay underfunded and we end up squabbling over PTA budgets. But I'm with you, if this county was actually willing to invest in education and the schools were already getting what they need, I"d be glad to let this PTA issue go.

But, you can go nowhere and achieve nothing even if you do not let this PTA issue go. You are basically all blather and frothing at the mouth on DCUM, but in real life you are incapable of doing anything because a) your post clearly demonstrates you have zero understanding of how PTA, MCPS and educational funding works and you are clueless b) you are just another outraged victim who does not know why the achievement gap has become the achievement grand canyon and c) you have been socialized and trained to expect charity, alms and handouts - which is not coming your way in this instance.

You are legitimately disgusting. What a hyper privileged dolt you are. Get therapy.