PTA and PTO co-existence!
I am looking for districts that house both PTA's and PTO's! Our district has PTO's in each school and a new PTA is being formed to address separate issues with the district. However, there has been significant opposition to this formation from PTO Presidents. I would really appreciate hearing from those of you out there that have the two organizations co-existing. It might be helpful to know how others have addressed the negativity (if there was any for you), established clear boundaries, and whatever advice you may offer. Thanks! You can reach me directly at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This forum is terrific, by the way, as is this web site. Nice job, Mr. Sullivan!!

Originally posted by PTA Pres:
Wow! I'm not sure where to begin. In the half hour I have spent reading this I have had a wide range of emotions-pride, sadness, anger, you name it I have felt it. I think everyone has had some valid points. I think when it comes down to it both groups do the same thing with the exception of the PTA's lobbying abilities. I have read comments here referring to "sides"-the PTA side and the PTO side. I only see one side-the side of the children. With all the valid points from both groups it made me wonder why I joined PTA. It's the group my parents were in when I was young (tradition), sure! It was the parent group already in place at my children's school,sure! But why do I remain?! I guess after everything I have read here I realize it's because I have the best of all worlds. I get to do the fun things right here in my own school-fun fairs, book fairs, Easter Egg Hunts, Fall Festivals, etc. I get to truly support education, both physically and monetarily, by workinig with children one on one, being able to join in with teachers at literacy trainings, raising funds to help with such things as computer labs,math manipulitives, etc. I help make decisions that directly affect my children and all the children in our district by sitting as a parent rep on interview committees for teachers, principals, operations directors, sitting on task forces developing standards for air quality and environmental safety in our buildings as well as good teaching practices. Through PTA I get the satisfaction of knowing that I am making a difference in my own school, district, and community AND I get the satisfaction of knowing that without physically being there I am making a difference for other children in other schools, districts, communitties, cities and states who don't have even ONE parent much less a WHOLE parent group working to better their life. So do I think the $4 I pay for my membership- $1 that stays in my school, $2 that goes to the State PTA, and $1 that goes to the National PTA is worth it? YOU BET! Being a part of that voice that has and still does advocate for laws for better schools, smaller classrooms, immunizations, hot lunches, safer playgrounds and so much more on behalf of every child, not just my own or my neighbors is SO WORTH IT because I know that for some children we're all they've got! It amazes me to here the remarks about the 3,4,5 or even more dollars that people are complaining about when we all know that at some point in our daily and weekly lives we waste far more than that on frivolous things. I can't figure out where these people are coming up with these numbers ($1,000) that are being sent to their State/National PTA unless the dues in their local units and state's are way more than in mine or else they must have really high enrollments in their schools because we sure don't send anything remotely close to those figures from mine. But even if we did, I would still think it was worth it. I guess the best phrase to sum up this whole debate is one I'll use direct from the classrooms in my school-"Different is Different, Not Better, Not Worse!" It's not about better or worse, just choices, and for me PTA's the Way!

From me to you- only good thoughts and wishes go to EVERYONE who is working on BEHALF of CHILDREN, you are all saints!

Newtoitall: I totally understand your thinking.

Now being a PTO (we left PTA last year), I am so much happier knowing I'm working with a group lobbying first for our children at our school, then reaching out to other schools in our county as well as our community.

If the National PTA truly wanted to hear and consider my feelings on political subjects, I'd be more interested in working with them. I find it curious that when PTA supporters advocate their advocacy programs, they seem to always go back to the school lunch fight of many decades ago. Why don't they talk about their current VERY liberal agenda? If they support it, shouldn't they be proud of it?

I just think an elementary school PTA/PTO, etc, should not be concerned with gay rights and abortions and be all consumed with helping our children read, write, think, compile, and get along.

My son just started Kindergarten this year. I didn't have a CLUE there was even a difference between PTO and PTA - all I knew is that I wanted to be involved, to help, to be there for the kids. When the sign-up came home, I didn't give it a second thought that it read "PTO". Didn't give it a second thought until our first fundraiser, and someone I work with asked "Don't you mean 'PTA'?". Well...no, we're PTO.

So, through my roused curiosity, I found this website, and the article. THANK YOU!

Now I can explain to anyone who asks the difference between PTO and PTA - and proudly declare that my son's school is PTO.

I am VERY conservative, we live in a VERY small, VERY conservative country town. If the school was PTA, I don't know that I could sleep at night knowing what an organization I was a member of was lobbying for. Call me selfish if you want, I need to take care of my own first, and those around my own. Our school budgets are horrendous, and our little school needs all the help it can get!

Our school became one of the first in our county to leave the PTA and go PTO this past spring; and I couldn't be happier. The PTA does not give the average school anything worth the monies given to them in dues, and if you disagree with them politically, your money is wasted. The PTA hides behind their motto and really have a highly, politically-motivated agenda. If they really were for ALL children, they would have no problem working arm in arm with PTO's, etc.

I encourage all PTA's to look at what they are getting for their dues money. If you like the return, stay with PTA. If not, let's be honest, the money would be better spent with your kids. And, as for lobbying, why can't PTO's network to offer our views politically to our school boards and legislatures? It's up to us! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I have become involved in the PTA in the last year at my sons' elementary school. I serve as PTA President; however, we are looking at very seriously making the change to PTO. Mainly to keep more of our funds at our school. We do hold fundraisers, several each year; otherwise our kids would not have any "extras" or incentive programs for good grades, reading, etc. nor would the school receive some much needed equipment such as an ice machine for the cafeteria, a PA system for the gym/auditorium, playground equipment.
Since taking the office, I have had no one from the regional or state PTA contact via mail or phone; with the exception of someone contacting our treasurer for the dues and membership report. From my point of view, "PTA" does nothing for our school. Over 69% of our children come from low income families and over 82% qualify for free & reduced lunches. According to some of the postings "PTA" is the voice for these children. If that's so why doesn't our school see these benefits based on it's need?

As as far as the remark regarding PTA supporting the hot lunch program. I don't call the option of a slice of pizza, one cookie, a spoon full of corn, and some shredded lettuce (the latter two - 98% of the kids did not touch) or a thawed peanut-butter and jelly sandwich qualifies as a "Nutritional Hot Lunch".

Hello everyone,
great discussion site ... opponent bashing seems to be the order of the day ... and quite a bit of it starting way back in 2000, it appears.

I'm curious about how it breaks down politically and philosophically. It appears that advocates for the PTAs want national/state control and PTOs would rather decide on local control to for themselves with national links to collect information to make the appropriate decisions on important issues ... much like the "think globally, act locally" admonition from someone who slips my mind at the moment.
Of course, if we all think of the children, we'll see we're on the same train - just different cars - some would want to be in the engine compartment decidiing on the stops and speed; while others would rather be in the club car, mingling with others and sharing information and ideas.

Much like personal letters and the postal service flourished in their day, so have telephones and facsimiles in theirs ... and in the 21st Century, it appears that cell phones <with cameras built in!>, email, and the Internet with have theirs ...
so it appears to me not to be so much of a "them versus us" issue as "what can we all do for the advancement of educational opportunities for the students and children" issue ... if you want to work in the engine car, there is more than enough work in there to keep the train on the track and headed in the right direction for everyone, and your assistance will be worthwhile; similarly, if you are the sort who wants to work in the club car, sharing and learning from others to assist your local efforts on behalf of students and children everywhere, your efforts there will be just as fulfilling and helpful as working in the engine ... it's a personal decision and no amount of bashing of the opposing views is liable to change any minds. Look at the facts; make your personal choice; and advocate for the students and children in spite of your personal views on anything else appears to be a good philisophical approach to this issue of starting a parent-school assistance endeavor.

Please keep up the good work. . . I really like, and can certainly appreciate, it all.

Earl J.
"Just an old Maui boy with a poor sense of direction, working his way back home one state at a time, currently working in the State of Confusion"