Weighing in on School Matters
by Mrs. Dorothy Barron
Issue:
It is my understanding that One School District, the Santa Monica-Malibu
Unified School District (SMMUSD - California) and some members of its School Board proposes
to end individual schools’ raising of PTA funds for their individual schools
and instead, establish a foundation to oversee all fundraising and create a
general pot to distribute funding to and among all schools within its school
district.
This was at one point a very hot topic; I can
generally tell hot button issues because Parents Taking Charge in Education’s
Blog receives a number of Alerts, which I have gathered, are from individuals
looking for information on relevant topics at the blog. At least two newspapers
had feature articles on the above issue.
Perhaps, and because I have spent an inordinate
number of years as a Parent School Volunteer and held a number of other
school-community related positions, I have discovered, there are relatively
simple solutions to most problems. I also hesitate in providing solutions
without all the facts or hearing from both sides. Information thus far gleaned on the above issue does not
appear to present all the relevant facts and therefore, weighing in on this
matter will consist of a number of questions and observations based on what has
been presented thus far, which are:
1. The school District or System’s Board proposes to
end individual schools’ raising of PTA funds for their individual schools; establish
a foundation to oversee all fundraising and create a general pot to distribute funding
to and among all schools within its school district.
2. Parents,
who arduously raise monies to support their individual schools did not/do not
agree with the decision or think it a fair one.
3. The school board felt it was a more democratic
way to meet the needs of all schools within the district or system.
Ways
to Address this Issue; First
1. After
having ascertained that I understood each party’s position on the issue, I
would inquire as to why the school board has chosen this measure as the
solution?
2. Being
that School PTAs are separate entities from the Schools; school district or
systems and its boards, on what grounds, policy or by law, can a school board mandate
such of PTAs?
3. From
school PTA leaders, I would ask that they review their PTA By-laws, mission,
purpose and any other clause(s) that relate to the above issue.
4. From
a legal standpoint, what directives have the state and national PTA issued on
this issue?
Second:
My next set of inquiries would consist of, what does
the school board and school system view as the advantages and disadvantages of
their above proposal? What are alternative solutions?
It is important to look at the entire picture, which
would also encompass the situation being viewed from the perspective that those
Parents who are committed to assisting schools with meeting the needs of
educating students are being penalized for doing so. It is difficult enough to
get Parents involved in their children’s education and schools; this action on
the school district or Board’s part could very well discourage and adversely
affect many Parents’ involvement and students’ attitudes toward learning.
I would also point out that problems of this nature
at times can result from:
1. Parents
and/or school officials’ lack of knowledge and/or failure to understand the
education process and/or policies or laws which govern each party in this
issue.
2. Personal
agendas getting in the way of what is best for our children and their
education.
3. Those
who are too close to the problem to view it from various perspectives and/or select
viable solutions that produce a win-win situation for all.
There is a simple and viable solution that affords a
win-win solution for parties on each side of this issue and can afford the
school board the opportunity to obtain as much additional funding for the
deprived schools as needed.
Mrs. Dorothy Barron’s e-mail address is barron.dorothy@yahoo.com.
She would be happy to confer with those interested in obtaining additional
funding for their schools and/or school activities. She has served as a 16 year
(7-9 years full-time) Parent School Volunteer, as well as having served in the
following capacities - PTA President at
two school levels, Parents and Educators School Mediator and School-Business
Liaison. She also co-founded and served as director of the Organization, Parents Focused on Education.
Mrs. Dorothy Barron,
Founder
