Nearly three-quarters of Newton parents surveyed would willingly donate to a central Parent Teacher Organization fund, according to a report released Nov. 4 by the Equity Working Group at the School Committee meeting, Boston University journalist reports for the Boston Globe.
About 90 percent of the survey’s respondents said they donate to their PTO and 73 percent said they would contribute financially to, or participate in, a central fund of some kind. Kerry Prasad, a parent on the working group, said “that key piece of information…leads us to the conclusion that a central fund is feasible and realistic.”
The majority of respondents also favored allocating funds from a central fund to schools with the greatest need, meaning the “lower your school sits below a given threshold, the more your school would receive from the central fund,” Prasad told the School Committee.
Maybe someone on the school committee (or task force) can fill us in on the details. The results of survey tell us that 89.3% or respondents donate to their PTOs. 72.9% of respondents say that they would donate to central fund.
If the intent is move entirely to central funding or a mix between local and central funding? If the intent is to have both local and central funding, do we know how much parents would contribute if there was only local funding and how much they would contribute if they are asked to contribute to both?
On the surface, unless I am missing something, it seems like the recommendation will result in LESS parental funding. If so, has the School Committee budgeted to make up for the difference? If so, how much?
I believe it’s a mix between local and central. I’m very glad this is happening. 10 years ago I was on the PTO when they looked at technology in our schools – the differences in spending were shocking. Some schools had all new equipment, others had a couple of out dated computers.
Some of our elementary’s have next to zero low-income students ( 1 out of 487 students) and parent bases that can raise a million dollars in a fund raiser, 4 other elementary schools are Title 1 schools (between 13% and 30% low-income).
The elementary education should be equalized as much as possible. All these students are going to meet up in middle and high school. When parents/PTOs are paying for playgrounds and technology and creative arts programs, a mix of shared fundraising seems like a very good idea.
Mixed, I believe. 10 years ago I was on the PTO Technology committee. The differences in technology available between our elementary schools was shocking. Some had almost all new tech, some had a few out-dated computers. When tech, playgrounds, creative arts, teacher supplies, etc. are funded by the parents/PTOs and our parent bases vary so much school to school, I think a mix of shared is a great plan.
Some of our elementary schools have literally one low-income student out of 500 students, others have 1/3 of the school low-income students. These kids all meet up in middle and high school. Their elementary experiences should be made as similar as possible.
Apologies for double post. My computer was being uncooperative.