Thanks for the info Tim; I am going to try to find a copy of our by-laws next to see if this is worth it. I do like the idea of our dues staying with us. I know PTA dues were raised statewide this year but we did not pass this along to our members, we absorbed the cost.
As a PTO, it would be your choice whether or not to collect dues from members (our research shows that about 50% of PTOs charge dues), but any dues you do collect would stay 100% with your local group.
Similarly, it would be your choice whether or not to have an audit (still STRONGLY recommended). No dues and independence are probably the two biggest differences between PTO and PTA.
The PTA or PTO choice won't necessarily affect how much participation you have -- changing that will come from putting in place really good effort/activities to get more parents involved. Both PTOs and PTAs can do that.
I'd like to simplify our current PTA practice and I'm gathering info on going PTO. From what I've read here, it sounds like the main advantage to PTO is not funding Washington lobbyists to make changes nationally. Are there still dues to collect? No audit at the end of the year? Our current PTA board consists of 4 teachers who are only moderately involved and 4 parents who run all the committees. Our school is approximately 60% low income, single parent and we have a fairly high mobility rate among students. Needless to say our parent participation is severely lacking. I would like to devote the time and resources we do have to our school's best interest. Also the majority of the other schools in our district have gone PTO. The last time I asked about going PTO there was not a great response, so I would like to attempt again armed with solid reasons. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
