Clarification

I thought I would write a post to clarify something. A few months ago a member of Silver Mesa's PTA board told me and several others that the council PTA would be increasing their dues, which would mean that our school would only keep $0.25 out of the dues paid. I just learned that this isn't correct. The correct breakdown is:

Parent Pays $5.00 to become a member of the PTA (only members can be in certain positions. only members can have a voice when decisions are made and when the budget is ratified even though the money is raised by most students at the school)

Out of that $5.00 the:

School keeps $0.45

Council PTA keeps $0.55
State PTA keeps $1.75
National PTA keeps $2.25

A PTO isn't required to charge dues for membership. EVERY parent is a member of a PTO. Often a PTO will charge optional dues, for the first year, to help pay the startup costs but this is totally optional. Even if they choose to charge dues EVERY parent will be a member even if they don't donate. This gives EVERY parent a voice not only those who pay. I don't like that you have to "pay to play" with a PTA.

**I will write a post soon that will spell out what exactly the start up cost for a PTO will be. One of the biggest costs for start up is the application fee for a 501c3, but that is a one time fee and totally worth it. I will share more soon***