Scare Tactics
An Open Letter by Holly Hendrickson
Silver Mesa Parent & PTO Supporter
Scare tactics are being used to make parents fear change. People have learned to use social media as a weapon, and a few people putting out false information can really stir up lots and lots of people who may not know any of the real facts of the situation. Are you falling for these tactics?
Scare Tactic #1 - “The current money in the PTA does not transfer to a new parent organization. They would have to start from scratch. This means, asking parents for more money next year to fund the start-up costs for starting a new Parent Organization at our school, such as a 501c(3) tax status, submitting a 990-N for taxes each year, and more.
The Truth - The National PTA has claim over all PTA funds, including those in our school PTA account. However, our school PTA will know well before the school year ends if indeed our school PTA will be in place next year. If parents vote for a PTO, our PTA has the power to spend down the account, buying supplies for next year, and even granting money to the school for field trips or other expenses. Knowing that a change is on the horizon, it would be negligent to not spend the money that parents donated to benefit our kids. Allowing State or National PTA to seize money donated by parents, that was intended to benefit our kids and our school would be irresponsible. Our school PTA leaders have the power to make sure money intended for our kids and school stays there.
“Starting from scratch” does not mean asking parents for any more money than the PTA asks for each year. Start-up costs for a PTO (under $1000) could be covered by the amount of money our PTA sends away in dues each year. The biggest start-up cost is filing for a 501c(3) tax status; however, this is a one time fee. After the first year, a PTO would be covering the same costs our school PTA covers now, including insurance. Muir Elementary, a public school in Davis District, did away with dues altogether after their first year of PTO, and to date, functions solely on donations to the annual PTO fundraiser. Shelly McKenna, former Muir PTO President said that parents were more than willing to support PTO fundraising (including dues the first year to cover start-up costs,) because they knew everything they donated stayed at the school to benefit the kids.
Scare Tactic #2 - “Without the PTA presence, [State Land Trust Fund money] may not always be there.”
The Truth - While the PTA touts itself as a “watch dog” for State Land Trust Funds, if our school were to vote for a PTO, the money we receive from State Land Trust Funds would not go away. The PTA does not control the State Trust Land Fund. Any change to the State Trust Land Fund would require legislative action. In addition, Canyons School District has a Community Engagement Officer who also acts as a watch dog at the State Capitol to ensure that State Trust Land funds are sustained and used as intended. The PTA is not the only group watching to ensure the fund is perpetuated.
Each school has an SCC (School Community Council) which has the task of developing a plan to improve academic performance at the school. The SCC decides how the funds our school is given are used to achieve these academic goals. The SCC is comprised of parents and school administrators, and is separate from the PTA.
Scare Tactic #3 - “ It will create a division in our school, and some parents will feel like they have to take sides—for PTA or for PTO.”
The Truth - Telling people to not sign the petition required to get to the vote, creates division and encourages people to take sides--before a vote is even warranted. The petition is being treated as a “pre-vote,” rather than a show of support for choice--regardless of what that choice is. Our goal all along has been to give parents a choice, educate them about their choices, and then allow them to vote their conscience, regardless of whether it’s for PTA or PTO.
Scare Tactic #4 - Our school will lose PTA programs such as Red Ribbon Week and Reflections.
The Truth - Red Ribbon Week is not a program specific to the PTA and can be sponsored by a PTO. The only program our school currently sponsors that is owned by the PTA is “Reflections.” PTOs around the nation typically sponsor their own art programs. For example, Muir Elementary in Bountiful, created a program similar to “Reflections” called, “Expressions.” They held a successful talent night to showcase the entries of all the students and even awarded cash prizes to top winners.
Technically, you, as a parent, fund these programs by donating to the PTA’s fundraiser. You would be supporting the same programs by donating to a PTO. Most parents would not see a difference in the day to day operations of PTA and PTO because they do the same things; however, they operate under different structures. The main difference is that a PTO is local, so it is not beholden to a larger entity. Everything that is done, is done to benefit our kids.
Scare Tactic #5 - There is no training for local PTOs.
The Truth - There are more resources now than ever for PTOs. PTA membership is on the decline and has been for years. PTOs are growing in number. Most charter schools in Utah have PTOs. Seventy-five percent of schools nationwide have PTOs.* An abundance of online resources exist, including training resources. In addition to those, each position on the board would have a comprehensive binder, detailing one’s job description. Each position would also have a person in training, essentially working as an “elect” for that position. This person, having had a year in training as an elect to that office, would fill the board position the following year and a new person would become the “elect” to that office to take over the following year. This system would not only ensure that leaders are properly trained in their responsibilities, but it would ensure continuity in leadership from year to year.
Scare Tactic #6 - Because a PTO is local, it doesn’t have the organizational structure to ensure sustainability.
The Truth - Any organization is only as good as it’s volunteers. With that in mind, great thought has been given to ensure the sustainability of our PTO. A structure where each position on the board carries with it an “elect” or person-in-training for that position, ensures that someone is always in place to take charge of any given PTO position for the following school year. With bylaws written specifically for our school, more people would be eligible to fill PTO board positions. And because a PTO is local, parents would be more vested in taking ownership of their organization.
What it Boils Down To - I have volunteered for the PTA ever since my kids started school. I have volunteered in multiple schools. I have volunteered with our current PTA. I think they are doing good work. Wanting a choice in parent organizations has nothing to do with them or how well they are doing. This is about which organizational structure will benefit our kids the most: PTA or PTO. I don’t believe sending money away from our school benefits our kids. I don’t believe requiring volunteers to pay membership dues to be able to volunteer at certain levels benefits our kids. These are not things our PTA can change. I believe each parent deserves a choice between parent organizations. To not sign the petition stifles choice and promotes autocracy. To sign the petition and vote, regardless of what your vote is, promotes democracy.
*source PTOtoday.com
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