I'm not sure about "combining" them, but as MIchelleB said, as long as everyone as on the same page you can definitely coexist. Our school is in the process of doing this right now. We've started our fundraising efforts with a playground--we figure after that anything else will be a piece of cake! However once that's under our belts we hope to expand by providing our children's school with so many other things it could use. Our PTA was dead set against us at first, which made things VERY difficult. We refuse to get into a turf war, and in no way wish to replace them, so little by little we're making inroads.
Hi Linda, Many PTAs and PTOs are now co-existing. It is no secret that PTA is primarily a child advocacy organization while the majority of PTOs are more localized, my school focused and an emphasis on fundraising.
Having looked at your school's website, this is the situation that I have appeared to have ascertained. Perhaps your booster club requires no dues but to be a part of State and National PTA, you pay dues. It's a wonderful example of how two groups can co-exist and do great things. Your school is giving you the best of both world without creating the us vs them mentality but rather the everything we can do for our children.
I would suggest you attend the meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and ask questions there. There is a more personal investment into why it was established this way and those of us not in the thick of it, would only be able to guess. It is the best of both worlds and one that I as a PTA leader support.
Congratulations for being at a Pioneer school!
