Del Valle ISD in Texas PTA and PTO Controversy
November 16th, 2009 by tsullivanI’ve been following this story in the Del Valle district in Texas with interest, largely because it is so unusual. The super there is taking a fairly strong stand against the formation of an independent parent group of any kind. Most of the articles on the topic have been referring to PTAs, but I understand that the policy is meant to apply to any independent (from the district) parent group. There was an editorial in the Del Valle paper last week about the PTA and PTO controversy.
The district and its schools do have school-organized and run parent committees.
In general, I think this is bad policy. It’s obviously bad from the public relations perspective – this super may not be against parent involvement, but it sure is playing that way in public perception. But I also think it’s wrong on the merits. Schools and districts should be supporting organized and empowered parent partnerships, not running scared from those. I certainly understand when districts want to place some collaborative limits on their parent groups (mandating, for example, an annual audit or asking that fundraisers be run a certain way), but this Del Valle approach takes those concerns way too far.
The one area where I agree with the super is in my opposition to dues for parent groups. We actually have an active topic on “dues or no dues” on our message boards right now. But if the parents in Del Valle want a parent group of their own – whether with dues or without – then they should be helped and encouraged. That’s clear. Here’s hoping this policy gets changed ASAP.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Please let me try to put some of the rumors to rest!
First, there is no policy banning parent organizations of any type. Del Valle ISD works very hard to involve parents. We would not have National Blue Ribbon Schools, Exemplary and Recognized campuses, a Recognized District and many award winning principals if we didn’t. The District employed a community liaison for each campus years ago to work solely on parental involvement.
Second, Mr. Blanchard’s only issues with PTA has been and still is the fees that are required to be a member of a school organization and the fact that PTA lobbies for topics that may no be in line with the philosophy of the district’s.
Finally, let me give you some history. Del Valle ISD had PTA for a number of years. It was disbanded for the reasons stated above.
The District then implemented PTO and has been very pleased with this organization. The only reason the campuses disbanded PTO last year was in an attempt to change the look of parental involvement on the campuses and make everyone feel welcome regardless if they want to participate in a fundraiser or not. The PTO’s were told they must obtain a 501 c3 for fundraising activities. We have also had many unfortunate issues with money being stolen from the campus organization which of course caused negative publicity. Parents did not want to complete the forms or be responsible for the 501 c3 and did not always want to particpate in a fundraiser. We just want parents to be involved! Even though a PTO does not require these elements it had evolved into this feeling from parents.
The Parental Involvement Committees were put in place just to try a new approach to get more parents involved. They mirror a PTO. The funds are tracked through the business office. Our parental involvement numbers have actually increased this year.
Mr. Blanchard has stated that the campus parental involvement committee, teachers and principal must make the final decision for what the campus wants for an organization. He still believes that it is not right for parents to have to pay to belong and that it causes less parental involvement. He still has the concern with the lobbying efforts by PTA.
The press is hearing from a group of disgruntled parents that may have other agendas. Mr. Blanchard conducts parent coffee chats and attends parent meetings at campuses regularly. The overwhelming majority of parents have voiced their wish to stay with the current system. The final decision will be made on the campus.