There Needs to Be Enforced Equity Among PTA's

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think rice PTAs need to share info about vendors, opportunities and how to set things up for the poorer PTAs in a user-friendly manner. Mainly because while rich PTAs have a playlist and how-tos well preserved from one PTA year to the next, poorer PTAs have sporadic participation and people do not have knowledge about how to get things started at their schools. For poor PTAs, it is like starting from scratch each year and it is very overwhelming.

What I would like to see is that county PTA give a bare minimum out-of-the-box solution to poor schools for enrichment activities that is easy and idiot proof to implement. Yes, charge every single parent $10 for it.

What am I suggesting? The basic book-keeping and cultural programming in poor schools should be done by county PTA. What does it mean? It means that they provide the leadership at the school PTA and enlist volunteers to do their work,

-Collecting $10-$15 from each parent,
-Sending dues to county, state and national PTA,
- Taxes and other paper work
- Provide an online directory for each school, each paying parent.
- Provide $200 for each teacher to equip their classrooms and ask them to print directory to distribute to their students

What the parents need is ready leadership that provides the infrastructure, paperwork and bookkeeping help, so that interested parents at any school can set up the following without too much paperwork and running around
- Bookfair
- Vendor performances or demonstrations at school
- Fee-based clubs run by vendors
- Reading, Math, Science, Talent and International nights.

We must have an out-of-the box bare minimum PTA solution that every school can have. They can add as much as they want to it. The oversight should also be provided by the county PTA. Of course, it becomes a problem because the entire PTA is a volunteer organization.

I love this approach.

This idea will not work as if you charge $10-15, most of that money goes to MCCPTA, MDPTA (or Freestate or what ever it is called) and National. There would be nothing left for $200 per teacher. Our school doesn't have $200 and we are lucky we have a few hundred to pay insurance.

Other states/jurisdictions actually charge fees that supplement the school budget, not the pta.

Mcps has plenty of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think rice PTAs need to share info about vendors, opportunities and how to set things up for the poorer PTAs in a user-friendly manner. Mainly because while rich PTAs have a playlist and how-tos well preserved from one PTA year to the next, poorer PTAs have sporadic participation and people do not have knowledge about how to get things started at their schools. For poor PTAs, it is like starting from scratch each year and it is very overwhelming.

What I would like to see is that county PTA give a bare minimum out-of-the-box solution to poor schools for enrichment activities that is easy and idiot proof to implement. Yes, charge every single parent $10 for it.

What am I suggesting? The basic book-keeping and cultural programming in poor schools should be done by county PTA. What does it mean? It means that they provide the leadership at the school PTA and enlist volunteers to do their work,

-Collecting $10-$15 from each parent,
-Sending dues to county, state and national PTA,
- Taxes and other paper work
- Provide an online directory for each school, each paying parent.
- Provide $200 for each teacher to equip their classrooms and ask them to print directory to distribute to their students

What the parents need is ready leadership that provides the infrastructure, paperwork and bookkeeping help, so that interested parents at any school can set up the following without too much paperwork and running around
- Bookfair
- Vendor performances or demonstrations at school
- Fee-based clubs run by vendors
- Reading, Math, Science, Talent and International nights.

We must have an out-of-the box bare minimum PTA solution that every school can have. They can add as much as they want to it. The oversight should also be provided by the county PTA. Of course, it becomes a problem because the entire PTA is a volunteer organization.

Please don’t yell at me because I really don’t know but isn’t this what the Montgomery county or state PTA is for? To help at least get a baseline for a school? We have representatives from our PTA go to the Montgomery County PTA and every county school would fall under that umbrella.

Not all schools have a pta. One is a PTO.

[Anonymous]

Well the logical conclusion is that we should take all the money that we have that isn’t needed for our basic necessities and send it to poor schools in Third World countries. Because of equity, right?

[Anonymous]

This problem reminds me of the "One FOLMC" vs local branches Friends of Library issue, where some local branches raise a lot more funds than other branches, and the parent chapter wanting a centralized model. You might want to see how they handle the inequitable distribution of funds:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/04/15/montgomery-countys-friends-of-the-library-directs-chapters-to-end-affiliate-status/

IMO it would be good to spread the wealth to some degree, rather than have the funds concentrated so heavily in certain areas because this would increase goodwill and decrease resentment and inequity. Otherwise this will only provide more incentive for teachers to only want to work in the wealthier school triangles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This problem reminds me of the "One FOLMC" vs local branches Friends of Library issue, where some local branches raise a lot more funds than other branches, and the parent chapter wanting a centralized model. You might want to see how they handle the inequitable distribution of funds:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/04/15/montgomery-countys-friends-of-the-library-directs-chapters-to-end-affiliate-status/

IMO it would be good to spread the wealth to some degree, rather than have the funds concentrated so heavily in certain areas because this would increase goodwill and decrease resentment and inequity. Otherwise this will only provide more incentive for teachers to only want to work in the wealthier school triangles.

$200 is not going to be that huge to a teacher. This is an mccpta issue not mcps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This problem reminds me of the "One FOLMC" vs local branches Friends of Library issue, where some local branches raise a lot more funds than other branches, and the parent chapter wanting a centralized model. You might want to see how they handle the inequitable distribution of funds:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/04/15/montgomery-countys-friends-of-the-library-directs-chapters-to-end-affiliate-status/

IMO it would be good to spread the wealth to some degree, rather than have the funds concentrated so heavily in certain areas because this would increase goodwill and decrease resentment and inequity. Otherwise this will only provide more incentive for teachers to only want to work in the wealthier school triangles.

$200 is not going to be that huge to a teacher. This is an mccpta issue not mcps.

It sounds like it's not just about $200, and it sounds like it's an issue for the OP who is an MCPS teacher. MCCPTA supports MCPS, so if what they're doing is making this worse/inequitable, MCCPTA should reexamine their policies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This problem reminds me of the "One FOLMC" vs local branches Friends of Library issue, where some local branches raise a lot more funds than other branches, and the parent chapter wanting a centralized model. You might want to see how they handle the inequitable distribution of funds:

https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/04/15/montgomery-countys-friends-of-the-library-directs-chapters-to-end-affiliate-status/

IMO it would be good to spread the wealth to some degree, rather than have the funds concentrated so heavily in certain areas because this would increase goodwill and decrease resentment and inequity. Otherwise this will only provide more incentive for teachers to only want to work in the wealthier school triangles.

$200 is not going to be that huge to a teacher. This is an mccpta issue not mcps.

How would you know? You're not a teacher. $200 can go a long way. No teacher should be paying for anything in a classroom with their own money. Period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well the logical conclusion is that we should take all the money that we have that isn’t needed for our basic necessities and send it to poor schools in Third World countries. Because of equity, right?

I know you think this was an edgy response, but it's just proving your stupidity and misunderstanding of the most basic things. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Santa Monica and Mailbu tried pooling PTA money:

https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2011/December-2011/12_01_2011_Santa_Monica_Malibu_School_Board_Approves_Controversial_Gift_Policy.html

It got dismantled a few years later:

https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2018/July-2018/07_06_2018_School_Board_Separates_Santa_Monica_Malibu_Fundraising_Efforts.html:

[Anonymous]

I understand the OP’s frustration. I remember my first year switching from a Title 1 school to a “w” feeder elementary. The differences started during pre-service. At the school with the richer PTA, I was given money for supplies, but what was crazy was that all the parents were asking me what I needed and sending it to me. I got sharpies, expo markers, tissues, etc, just by asking parents! All of the kids brought the supplies on their supply lists. I was able to spend the PTA money on fun things for the students. Then came winter break when I was given over $450 worth of gifts! Then teacher appreciation week came- there was something special each day AND students brought cards and gifts. Then more gifts at the end of the year.

At the Title 1 school, rarely did students bring supplies, so I had to supply for everyone (the amount we are given in measly and barely covers pencils). There was no PTA fund for reimbursements. I also had to buy snacks as the kids never brought their own. For winter break, I would get a couple of dollar store gifts and same for the end of year. For teacher appreciation week, the PTA brought a few dozen doughnuts and done coffee one day.

But here’s the thing. I wasn’t working harder at the new school. If anything, things were/are much easier. It is like getting an extra 500 or more just because I work in a richer area.

I don’t think there’s a fix, but I certainly understand the frustration. During the holidays, a always keep very quiet about what gifts I have received when speaking to other teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think rice PTAs need to share info about vendors, opportunities and how to set things up for the poorer PTAs in a user-friendly manner. Mainly because while rich PTAs have a playlist and how-tos well preserved from one PTA year to the next, poorer PTAs have sporadic participation and people do not have knowledge about how to get things started at their schools. For poor PTAs, it is like starting from scratch each year and it is very overwhelming.

What I would like to see is that county PTA give a bare minimum out-of-the-box solution to poor schools for enrichment activities that is easy and idiot proof to implement. Yes, charge every single parent $10 for it.

What am I suggesting? The basic book-keeping and cultural programming in poor schools should be done by county PTA. What does it mean? It means that they provide the leadership at the school PTA and enlist volunteers to do their work,

-Collecting $10-$15 from each parent,
-Sending dues to county, state and national PTA,
- Taxes and other paper work
- Provide an online directory for each school, each paying parent.
- Provide $200 for each teacher to equip their classrooms and ask them to print directory to distribute to their students

What the parents need is ready leadership that provides the infrastructure, paperwork and bookkeeping help, so that interested parents at any school can set up the following without too much paperwork and running around
- Bookfair
- Vendor performances or demonstrations at school
- Fee-based clubs run by vendors
- Reading, Math, Science, Talent and International nights.

We must have an out-of-the box bare minimum PTA solution that every school can have. They can add as much as they want to it. The oversight should also be provided by the county PTA. Of course, it becomes a problem because the entire PTA is a volunteer organization.

I’m at a title one school with basically no PTA participation. It’s great that some people want all that stuff, but I absolutely don’t want any of that. Just stop the book fairs, international nights and fee based clubs. I don’t believe it belongs in schools. Cities already have so many cultural activities like this and do it way better than schools.

What I’d like:
-book reading awards or honor roll awards instead of attendance awards (attendance awards are all poor schools get.)
- ability to come in and read to the classroom or help out.
- career day
- field trip. Instead of getting to go to a zoo- my kid got a paid “field trip” to the parking lot where they had a few animals. (Yet another thing that poor kids don’t get)

Instead of pooling PTA money, they should pool the amount of FARMs kids so that one school isn’t overwhelmed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It doesn’t make sense to lower the ceiling. Why not raise the floor? Wealthy parents are going to send money and supplies to their kids teachers, and that is fine and normal. Most would also send in extra to share with a lower resourced school. But, I’m not going to be cheap with my donation to my own kid’s school for equity reasons. That is the problem with county-wide schools. In the Northeast, you have smaller town-based schools and they are so much easier to manage. MCPS has too many kids, too many schools, and too many disparate interests. It just doesn’t function well because it is so big.

Why do folks keep saying this. Schools in the NE town based systems that do not have wealthy or high UC bases suffer just the same as schools in county based systems.

[Anonymous]

The OP's point was, it shouldn't be allowed for PTA's to provide stipends if ALL PTA's arent. MCPS should just be paying every teacher a flat $200 fee for yearly supplies. Gifts should be capped. That is it. Some of you really don't know how to read and jump to anger and indignation before even thinking things through.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think rice PTAs need to share info about vendors, opportunities and how to set things up for the poorer PTAs in a user-friendly manner. Mainly because while rich PTAs have a playlist and how-tos well preserved from one PTA year to the next, poorer PTAs have sporadic participation and people do not have knowledge about how to get things started at their schools. For poor PTAs, it is like starting from scratch each year and it is very overwhelming.

What I would like to see is that county PTA give a bare minimum out-of-the-box solution to poor schools for enrichment activities that is easy and idiot proof to implement. Yes, charge every single parent $10 for it.

What am I suggesting? The basic book-keeping and cultural programming in poor schools should be done by county PTA. What does it mean? It means that they provide the leadership at the school PTA and enlist volunteers to do their work,

-Collecting $10-$15 from each parent,
-Sending dues to county, state and national PTA,
- Taxes and other paper work
- Provide an online directory for each school, each paying parent.
- Provide $200 for each teacher to equip their classrooms and ask them to print directory to distribute to their students

What the parents need is ready leadership that provides the infrastructure, paperwork and bookkeeping help, so that interested parents at any school can set up the following without too much paperwork and running around
- Bookfair
- Vendor performances or demonstrations at school
- Fee-based clubs run by vendors
- Reading, Math, Science, Talent and International nights.

We must have an out-of-the box bare minimum PTA solution that every school can have. They can add as much as they want to it. The oversight should also be provided by the county PTA. Of course, it becomes a problem because the entire PTA is a volunteer organization.

I’m at a title one school with basically no PTA participation. It’s great that some people want all that stuff, but I absolutely don’t want any of that. Just stop the book fairs, international nights and fee based clubs. I don’t believe it belongs in schools. Cities already have so many cultural activities like this and do it way better than schools.

What I’d like:
-book reading awards or honor roll awards instead of attendance awards (attendance awards are all poor schools get.)
- ability to come in and read to the classroom or help out.
- career day
- field trip. Instead of getting to go to a zoo- my kid got a paid “field trip” to the parking lot where they had a few animals. (Yet another thing that poor kids don’t get)

Instead of pooling PTA money, they should pool the amount of FARMs kids so that one school isn’t overwhelmed.

Couple things to note here:
- There really is no honor roll until MS
- Getting folks to come in and read requires guardians with flexibility to take time off in the middle of the day.
- career day doesn’t have to be organized by the PTA. The school counselor does it for a couple schools I know of.
- MCPS has a field trip fund. Also field trips take A Lot of work to plan, coordinate and gathering chaperones to attend. Again, parent flexibility is key here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The OP's point was, it shouldn't be allowed for PTA's to provide stipends if ALL PTA's arent. MCPS should just be paying every teacher a flat $200 fee for yearly supplies. Gifts should be capped. That is it. Some of you really don't know how to read and jump to anger and indignation before even thinking things through.

Gifts are capped.