PTO Today

Yup, in the world of what PTOs and PTAs can and can’t do in the political realm, this one is definitely a no-no.  Neither schools nor any 501c3 non-profit is allowed to specifically endorse candidates for public office.  This Idaho group did and is now on the hot seat.

As an FYI, it *is* OK for a non-profit to be involved with politics, but only in approved ways.  Example:  it is OK for a non-profit to try to help educate voters on an issue.  Additionally, OK for a non-profit to hold, say,  a “meet the candidates” night.  Big difference, too, between supporting a particular candidate and supporting a cause.  OK, for example, for the cancer society, to advocate for more cancer research funding.  Wouldn’t be OK for cancer society to promote a particular candidate by name, even if that candidate was loudly for increased research funding.  Subtle but key difference.

Trouble (legal trouble or just ill will within a group) often starts when school staff or district officials push the parent groups to endorse a bond levy or tax override vote.  Has your group been in this position? 

Seeing this story more and more these days, as local media pick up on PTOs and PTAs dealing with the economic downturn. Here’s a piece from Florida on some PTAs bringing in less. And this Maryland piece looks at how some local private schools are dealing with having less.

We commissioned some research of our own this fall with interesting results that will be in our January and March issues. Sneak preview:

• 56% of groups surveyed said profits fell this fall vs. just 19% with an increase.
• For those with lower profits, 65% said profit was down by 20% or more.
• For groups with lower profits, 38% are planning to add another fundraiser and 25% are planning to reduce or eliminate programs or services.

What’s happening with your group?

Suburban Chicago paper reviews recent switch of local group from a PTA to a PTO. Group cites nearly $1,000 PTA price-tag and mis-fit with PTA policy initiatives as primary motivations.

We’ve tracked many of these over the years. Here’s a link to our search results on “PTO PTA” and here’s our PTO v PTA homepage.

Expecting to see more of this kind of thing. Here, this upstate New York district is zero-budgeting field trips this year, and only allowing trips completely funded by the PTOs.

We started talking about this a while back with this post on Fundraising and the Economy, but the issue is only going to get tighter in the coming months. We have some of our own research coming out shortly on how groups are doing this fall $$-wise.

Now’s the right time to think ahead as to how you can make sure you’re still able to build community and involvement and support your school, even with a lower budget. Would love to hear your ideas, if you’re already making those adjustments.

Sentencing comes through for former PTA treasurer convicted of stealing $180,000 (yes — nearly 200 grand!) from her group over 5 year period. Appreciate the fact that other officers and school parents prosecuted and advocated for harsh sentencing. However, looks like the sentence will be one year of home confinement.

There are so many basic tips for solid money management for your PTO or PTA, but here’s one straight from the article: don’t have bank statements mailed directly to treasurer’s home. No way!

Is your group protecting its funds?

So the long, uninterrupted string of research continues. This must make it 47 for 47 or something, as a pair of University of New Hampshire economists unveil their findings from a big study: parent involvement in education works.

Besides the usual findings (that are of no suprise to regular readers of this space), the UNH researchers added an interesting twist. Turns out that: 1) parent education works (to the equivalent of $1,000 of value for the school system per year); and 2) as school resources/budgets go up, parent involvement tends to lessen (my guess: parents feel that the school has things handled)… meaning that spending that extra $1000 per student may mean losing some of that $1000 in parent-value. Interesting.

I’m sure will find other reactions re: this study. Will keep you linked in. Would love your thoughts, too.

At each of our expos, Patty Catalano (PTO Today staffer) puts on her white doctors coat and helps leaders diagnose and find solutions to their most pressing parent group challenges. After our last expo in New Jersey I asked Patty to share some of the most common/interesting questions she’s addressed so far. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What can/should we do about the fact that involvement at the middle school wanes?
A: The wane here is typical-not uncommon. Teachers don’t need parents “hands-on” etc. in the classroom, (kids don’t want ‘em hanging around either!) Involvement here tends to be more event focused, i.e. helping out at talent shows, jogathons, chaperoning dances, open gym nights, etc. Competition typed events work great here too, i.e. trivia nights, spelling bees, basketball game/shootouts etc. When planning teams, consider holding teams of students to participate AGAINST their parents. (They love to be on a team with their friends at this age instead of being teamed up WITH their parents. They are just so like, OMG, uncool. ; p )

Q: We have one parent (i.e. steamroller type) who tries to take over every committee and goes right to the principal (overstepping PTO) to make changes to our activities /plans without our knowledge. How do we address this?
A: I suggested the two leaders first sit down with principal and then the steamroller. Need to chat with principal about how your group is trying to be more orderly/structured and that it has procedures in place for chairs and volunteers and no one should side step PTO board. Tell her that you would appreciate that parents come to the board with ideas/proposals for PTO related activities. Process should be that all PTO events and programs are put on an agenda, voted, and approved. Things should not be changed haphazardly after they are voted on.
Also, the steamroller needs to be put in her place. Stand up to her and make sure she’s following documented procedures. Let her know you would LOVE her help; you just want to make sure she’s going through the right channels so that help can be put to the best possible use.

Q: How do we get teachers to come to our events/become more involved in our PTO?
A: Teacher’s job is to teach, job of parent group leaders is to provide support to make that teaching environment a positive one. Also, don’t take it personally, the 800+ kids at school are all very cute, but frankly by 2:00 p.m. the teachers have seen enough of them. (LOL)
It’s important to understand that they have other essential/more important things (family/kids/a life!) to deal with outside the school. They might not want to come to a book fair, or spaghetti night or some other PTO fun filled night just for that reason. Also, some teachers fear that parents will hunt them down and want to talk shop (so why did Johnny get an F last month on that test??)
If they show up for an event count your blessings, but don’t hold it against them if they don’t.
Other things that might help them to show up to at least one event during the year: put individual/personalized invitations to the event in their mailbox (versus the collective “Attention Teachers! Come One Come All” flyer posted on the copier room wall!)
Also, if you really really have to have their help for an event, recruiting teachers is not unlike recruiting parent volunteers…. You just need to ask for SPECIFIC help based on their skills/background, i.e. hello Mrs Smith (art teacher), can you help us make a back drop for the talent show? Hello, Mr. Smith (gym teacher) can you help us recruit some teachers to play basketball against the kids at our Get Movin’ night?
You get the picture…

If you’re attending the Chicago or Denver show be sure to stop by and see Patty…she’s the one in the white coat

Kind of cool to note that our PTO Today message boards — by far the most active sharing site dedicated exclusively to parent group leaders — have recently passed 75,000 archived posts. That’s a heck of a lot of insight, sharing, idea-swapping, supporting (we know your pain!) and (occasionally) screwing around.

I can actually remember when we started our message boards 7 years ago, and — frankly — I’d sometimes have conversations with myself. No more… (more…)