I am the treasurer for our schools PTA. We just got a new principal this year and he is in favor of switching to PTO, but none of us really knows what all that entails. We have a very successful fundraiser in the fall. I've been told that if you are PTA your incoming funds are no issue(as far as filing tax returns), but if you are a PTO and have "profits" of say $12,000 or more, you are required to file tax forms. Can anyone give me info on this?? Or, give a source of who can clarify this??
I also read above that switching from PTA to PTO requires you to spend out your on hand funds. Does that mean you have to spend everything and completely start over at a 0 balance?
If the only benefit is that you get to keep $4.00 per member rather than send it to state and national agencies--I don't see how that could be the answer for us.
You make some great points. Thanks for participating. It sounds like your group(s) is/are getting good value from the PTA. That's terrific.
I'd only take exception to one point: you seem to presume that folks who aren't PTA aren't "speaking for kids," when in reality they are simply not speaking for kids in exactly the same way that you are. They are definitely speaking (and acting and working and getting involved...) for kids.
Just as it's fair of you to point out that a lot of good comes from PTA lobbying efforts (it does!), it's equally fair of someone like Peter to point out that a lot of good comes from PTO work. (it does!)
Again -- the key is what your members want and need. There really is no right or wrong answer, as long as your group winds up providing valuable service to your kids, your school and your community.
I am the Co-President of one PTO and the Vice-President of another. I think that it is more a question of who is in the leadership roles, than whether you are a PTA or PTO when it comes to standing up for our children.
We are a very pro-active PTO at both schools, and we speak out often at School Committee meetings, City Council meetings etc... and with very good results. For instance, as a result of a report submitted to the City by our PTO seeking additional funds for our Media Center, the city has now asked for a similar report from ALL of our schools an the state of affairs at each Media Center. We identified the problem and now the action is being taken. This is just one of many examples of our successes in "fighting City Hall".
We have found that our elected officials listen very carefully to what we have to say. They are aware that we use our meetings, newsletters and local newspapers to publisize our desires and their responses. It is amazing how much power you can have if you only take the time to get involved.
We recently purchased 12 computers, and that would not have been possible without the support of a strong PTO group. We also would have been unable to get two of those computers if we had to pay the close to $1,800 in dues to PTA. I strongly believe that every cent raised by the parents of our school community, should be spent atour school.
I am also glad to hear from Tim that there is hope on the horizon, for getting more organization and networking for the PTO's. Tim, I have told you before but it bears repeating, you are doing a great job!!!
I am a member of a PTA and a PTO. At both of my children's Elem. schools the PTA's have looked into switching to a PTO- both stayed PTA. My middle school is PTO- the current Elem PTA. As a very involved parent I must say that while I have always been on the Board and often an officer for 10 years in the PTA I will never be a Committee Chair or Officer of a PTO. I not only believe in the connection one gets thru PTA to keep me informed of changes (very little is controlled inthe buildings, usually curriculum and policy changes come from further up the ladder- and PTA has the network to let parents know about these proposed changes and helps get parental input into the process- PTO does not offer this to me as a parent). I also believe in the training and support the PTA structure gives you as an officer- I have often had to turn to the officers at County and State to help me handle issues within my own child's school- they have been invaluable. Well worth the 2.50. The Lobbying the PTA does is often put down by PTO people however, I have found that one person's opinion is often easily discounted by the school system where as an active , organized group representing hundreds and thousands of parents and children gets listened to. Every little PTA member has the ability to change the PTA's legislative platform- I have done so myself. If you don't like the PTA's stance on something, you can go to convention, speak about it and propose a change or to eliminate the stance all together, it's a democratic process. It's not easy, it takes time, but I find it very rewarding and influential in my children's education. I vote PTA always! I am a PTA President for the 3rd time (third school) - started out as a Kindergarten rep, bored with all the legislative stuff - but now feel if we don't speak for our kids, who will?
To "PTA president", I say: good for you. It sounds like you're doing great work for your school. That's what we're all all about.
Many schools make the PTA/PTO decision based on that $2.50 per member dues fee (varies by state). For groups that have 100's of members that amounts to a lot of money -- and groups have to decide if they're getting $500 or more of value from the state and national PTA. There's currently a proposal to double the dues for the national PTA. It's a proposal that will make that decision even more challenging.
I guess the question is: "will local units get twice as much service for the twice as much money they're forwarding to the national PTA?"
Tim
[This message has been edited by Publisher (edited 03-09-2000).]
