PTA wealth redistribution article in Arlnow

[Anonymous]

Is this something people are actually talking about as a reality? I know of the two people quoted and I know this is their pet project, but wondering if this is something being considered more broadly.

https://www.arlnow.com/2021/07/15/arlington-pta-leaders-consider-ways-to-distribute-funding-more-equitably/

[Anonymous]

Doubt it will get much traction. PTAs are already struggling to fund anything this year.

[Anonymous]

Sounds great. Part of the firm belief in equity — not just equality of opportunity — that so many in Arlington have.

[Anonymous]

In Arlington, some schools suck less than others.

[Anonymous]

I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

Most people will stop giving if they know it’s not going directly to their child’s school. Mark my words - if this happens, we will see an overall decrease in PTA funding.

The quest for equity is a race straight to the bottom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

Most people will stop giving if they know it’s not going directly to their child’s school. Mark my words - if this happens, we will see an overall decrease in PTA funding.

The quest for equity is a race straight to the bottom.

The wealthy have already left for private school. APS is a joke.

[Anonymous]

Nah, won’t happen. People can donate to any school. There’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a check to Randolph or Carlin Springs. If people really cared they would already be doing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

Most people will stop giving if they know it’s not going directly to their child’s school. Mark my words - if this happens, we will see an overall decrease in PTA funding.

The quest for equity is a race straight to the bottom.

Generally agree although it’s fair to ask whether APS avoids spending money on anything really important based on an assumption that the PTAs will cover the cost. In that case, if the PTA at a poorer school can’t cover the cost, the students miss out on things that might be considered essential, and APS should be called out.

Otherwise, trying to reallocate PTA funds on a county-wide basis in the name of equity will just lead to fewer contributions, as parents will anticipate less benefit to their own kids or schools. Folks are just not that altruistic, when the alternative is arranging individually for their kids to receive extra goods or services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, won’t happen. People can donate to any school. There’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a check to Randolph or Carlin Springs. If people really cared they would already be doing it.

Bingo. This will get lots of lip service, but no real $$ traction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nah, won’t happen. People can donate to any school. There’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a check to Randolph or Carlin Springs. If people really cared they would already be doing it.

I totally disagree. This is the reason we have public policy. I could drive all my recycling to the correct drop-off place, but I'm not going to. But put a bin at my curb, and I will do my part. Some people will donate less to their PTA's but I bet the decline overall would be small. Most people would support this idea. Saying people don't support it because they aren't already doing it is ridiculous. It's just not true or how humans work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

Most people will stop giving if they know it’s not going directly to their child’s school. Mark my words - if this happens, we will see an overall decrease in PTA funding.

The quest for equity is a race straight to the bottom.

Generally agree although it’s fair to ask whether APS avoids spending money on anything really important based on an assumption that the PTAs will cover the cost. In that case, if the PTA at a poorer school can’t cover the cost, the students miss out on things that might be considered essential, and APS should be called out.

Otherwise, trying to reallocate PTA funds on a county-wide basis in the name of equity will just lead to fewer contributions, as parents will anticipate less benefit to their own kids or schools. Folks are just not that altruistic, when the alternative is arranging individually for their kids to receive extra goods or services.

APS has a real problem with money management. All of the Federal Covid dollars were spent on budget shortfalls, not things Covid-related. I hope they are audited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah, won’t happen. People can donate to any school. There’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a check to Randolph or Carlin Springs. If people really cared they would already be doing it.

I totally disagree. This is the reason we have public policy. I could drive all my recycling to the correct drop-off place, but I'm not going to. But put a bin at my curb, and I will do my part. Some people will donate less to their PTA's but I bet the decline overall would be small. Most people would support this idea. Saying people don't support it because they aren't already doing it is ridiculous. It's just not true or how humans work.

Read the ArlNow anonymous comments. You’re a fool if you think most people will support this. If my dollars aren’t going to my kid’s school, I’ll keep my money and spend it on enrichment outside of school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope it gets traction - this is a simple way for N Arlington to close some of the gap between schools. I’m a N Arlington elementary parents and I would give more if I knew all schools were sharing equally on a per-child basis.

FWIW, my mom was PTA President when I attended Jamestown in the 1980s. This exact same proposal was floated then and ultimately went nowhere. I hate to be cynical but I'd be shocked if it caught on now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah, won’t happen. People can donate to any school. There’s nothing stopping anyone from writing a check to Randolph or Carlin Springs. If people really cared they would already be doing it.

I totally disagree. This is the reason we have public policy. I could drive all my recycling to the correct drop-off place, but I'm not going to. But put a bin at my curb, and I will do my part. Some people will donate less to their PTA's but I bet the decline overall would be small. Most people would support this idea. Saying people don't support it because they aren't already doing it is ridiculous. It's just not true or how humans work.

LOL

No one I know!