OUR Parent Organization

Politics don't belong in our school!   Most people would probably say that politics aren't in our school, but they are.  The National PTA uses money that schools send them from membership dues to lobby, among other things. 
Why are we sending thousands of dollars of our dues outside our school?  While some people believe the issues the PTA lobbies for are important, many people believe lobbying efforts should be separate from membership in the school's parent organization.  Many parents also believe that our school does not get much of a return from the big dues that we pay.  Parents should be able to focus on what is going on at their individual school, without being forced to fund lobbying efforts through their PTA membership.  Most parents just want to support their student, teachers and school on a local level.   

A PTO at our school would have bylaws, policies and procedures, created specifically for our school.  A PTO would have the option of charging dues or not; and if dues were charged, ALL of that money would stay at our school to benefit our kids.  None of it would be sent to national or state levels.  Parents would have the authority to make decisions that are best for our school, without having to answer to a larger organization that is not familiar with the unique dynamics of our school.  Parents who value PTA advocacy efforts could voluntarily donate time and money to the PTA, without taking it away from our school.

Why should we support a PTO?  Because local control benefits our kids  Because keeping membership dues at our school makes sense and benefits our kids.  And because funding political advocacy should be a choice, not a requirement of those wanting to participate in one's school parent group.  If we can do everything the PTA does at our school as a PTO, then why pay all those dues?

Unite for a common purpose, and when given the chance, please vote for PTO.   It will be OUR parent organization.