An article titled  "Parents Help Save Sports Program" caught my eye today. Yet another reminder that school budgets are tight everywhere. Schools and communities are being forced to get creative with funding. In this case, the PTO came forward and offered to pay for a portion of a sports program. No surprise that the board took them up on the offer. This scenario begs the question: what should PTOs pay for? The answer gets a little fuzzy in tight economic times, doesn't it?  Something to consider though-- when your group decides to fund a program or a position, are you setting a precedent? Can your group maintain this funding in years to come, if need be? There are many signs that the economy is improving. When funding improves, will you still be expected to fund the program that you rescued?

There are no easy answers.  What do you think  parent groups should pay for?