PTA vs PTO pros cons of either?

[Southernmiss]

Attended a heated PTA meeting tonight. What are the differences or benefits of PTA and PTO organizations?

The main argument was regarding a classroom behavior incentive program in which the teachers give students play money as rewards for good behavior, positive character traits, and other classroom kudos that the students in turn spend once a nine weeks on dollar store items provided by the PTA. New president says this is in violation of PTA bylaws and the PTA should not include funds for this in their budget.

I don't have any idea right or wrong (based on bylaws or PTA governing instruments), but I do think that the teachers need an incentive to encourage the kids and why not use play money that is later used to purchase trinket items.

 

[Tink888]

With a PTA, you are a part of a national organization (which really doesn't do all that much for your individual school per say). You have to follow their by-laws and your school pays national membership dues.

With a PTO, you are your own organization, you have more freedom in creating your own by-laws and doing things the way you want to. Because it is just your school, there are no national membership dues which means every last penny raised for your organization stays in your organization and benefits your children directly.

 

[aprilgail2]

Attended a heated PTA meeting tonight. What are the differences or benefits of PTA and PTO organizations?

The main argument was regarding a classroom behavior incentive program in which the teachers give students play money as rewards for good behavior, positive character traits, and other classroom kudos that the students in turn spend once a nine weeks on dollar store items provided by the PTA. New president says this is in violation of PTA bylaws and the PTA should not include funds for this in their budget.

I don't have any idea right or wrong (based on bylaws or PTA governing instruments), but I do think that the teachers need an incentive to encourage the kids and why not use play money that is later used to purchase trinket items.

Our PTA would not be allowed to do that--you have to do equally for ALL children, you can't just give to some and that is what would happen with that rewward system- the good kids would benefit and the bad kids would get nothing and according to out PTA bylaws that would not be allowed. Besides the teachers here all use a similar system but they bring in their own awards and work it whatever way they want to, some with so many stars get to pick out of that teachers prize box, others give a twizzler for a test grade over a 90 etc...but that is up to each teacher, they get a certain amount of petty cash from the school to do what they want with for their classroom each year-the PTA does not supply it.
THe PTA does things like the 100 day of school ice cream party, fall festival, welcome back breakfast for the kids, all the culteral art shows each month, end of the year picnic etc- things that are for all the kids.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Since, in my experience, both consist of a bunch of pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups, not much of a difference at all.

 

[Southernmiss]

With a PTA, you are a part of a national organization (which really doesn't do all that much for your individual school per say). You have to follow their by-laws and your school pays national membership dues.

With a PTO, you are your own organization, you have more freedom in creating your own by-laws and doing things the way you want to. Because it is just your school, there are no national membership dues which means every last penny raised for your organization stays in your organization and benefits your children directly.

Thanks

 

[Southernmiss]

With a PTA, you are a part of a national organization (which really doesn't do all that much for your individual school per say). You have to follow their by-laws and your school pays national membership dues.

With a PTO, you are your own organization, you have more freedom in creating your own by-laws and doing things the way you want to. Because it is just your school, there are no national membership dues which means every last penny raised for your organization stays in your organization and benefits your children directly.

Our PTA would not be allowed to do that--you have to do equally for ALL children, you can't just give to some and that is what would happen with that rewward system- the good kids would benefit and the bad kids would get nothing and according to out PTA bylaws that would not be allowed. Besides the teachers here all use a similar system but they bring in their own awards and work it whatever way they want to, some with so many stars get to pick out of that teachers prize box, others give a twizzler for a test grade over a 90 etc...but that is up to each teacher, they get a certain amount of petty cash from the school to do what they want with for their classroom each year-the PTA does not supply it.
THe PTA does things like the 100 day of school ice cream party, fall festival, welcome back breakfast for the kids, all the culteral art shows each month, end of the year picnic etc- things that are for all the kids.

Since, in my experience, both consist of a bunch of pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups, not much of a difference at all.

 

[Bearvet]

This is a wonderful website and discussion board http://www.ptotoday.com/boards

In fact one of their discussion forums is called "PTO v PTA". You do not have to be a PTO to use this website. We have gotten wonderful ideas and support there.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Well, I guess you can count me as one of the pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups. I am president of our PTA. We prefer a PTA because it does have more structure and rules. While I realize that some people want a PTO to escape that, we find that things run a bit more smoothly with the structure. We have bylaws that provide a foundation for what we can and can't do. Particularly with money, this provides a level of accountability. We have had PTOs in our area that have gotten in trouble with the district for misuse of funds. Following our bylaws helps us to avoid that. (I'm not saying that all PTOs misuse funds, but with fewer rules and restrictions, the door is open to that.)

As far as the people in the PTA, I am sure there are some pushy, overbearing moms and whiny suckups, but most of us are working very hard to support the teachers and the students. Our school wouldn't be what it is without the hours we spend volunteering and the money we raise, and we are glad to serve in this way. As a former teacher, I worked in a school that had no PTA, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that active PTAs and PTOs make a difference in your child's education.

 

[Southernmiss]

This is a wonderful website and discussion board http://www.ptotoday.com/boards

In fact one of their discussion forums is called "PTO v PTA". You do not have to be a PTO to use this website. We have gotten wonderful ideas and support there.

Oooh thanks! I will be reading these boards and pass the link along.

 

[Southernmiss]

Well, I guess you can count me as one of the pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups. I am president of our PTA. We prefer a PTA because it does have more structure and rules. While I realize that some people want a PTO to escape that, we find that things run a bit more smoothly with the structure. We have bylaws that provide a foundation for what we can and can't do. Particularly with money, this provides a level of accountability. We have had PTOs in our area that have gotten in trouble with the district for misuse of funds. Following our bylaws helps us to avoid that. (I'm not saying that all PTOs misuse funds, but with fewer rules and restrictions, the door is open to that.)

As far as the people in the PTA, I am sure there are some pushy, overbearing moms and whiny suckups, but most of us are working very hard to support the teachers and the students. Our school wouldn't be what it is without the hours we spend volunteering and the money we raise, and we are glad to serve in this way. As a former teacher, I worked in a school that had no PTA, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that active PTAs and PTOs make a difference in your child's education.

Thanks for your reply. I agree that great schools need lots of volunteers who are gladly working for the school, children and teachers and that's how our PTA has been and what parents and teachers want to continue.

 

[castleview]

Well, I guess you can count me as one of the pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups. I am president of our PTA. We prefer a PTA because it does have more structure and rules. While I realize that some people want a PTO to escape that, we find that things run a bit more smoothly with the structure. We have bylaws that provide a foundation for what we can and can't do. Particularly with money, this provides a level of accountability. We have had PTOs in our area that have gotten in trouble with the district for misuse of funds. Following our bylaws helps us to avoid that. (I'm not saying that all PTOs misuse funds, but with fewer rules and restrictions, the door is open to that.)

As far as the people in the PTA, I am sure there are some pushy, overbearing moms and whiny suckups, but most of us are working very hard to support the teachers and the students. Our school wouldn't be what it is without the hours we spend volunteering and the money we raise, and we are glad to serve in this way. As a former teacher, I worked in a school that had no PTA, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that active PTAs and PTOs make a difference in your child's education.

This is very true. While I can't make most PTO meetings anymore, I help out with certain functions and am always welcome and appreciated. It's been my experience that those that consider the PTA cliquey are just looking for excuses as to why they can't get involved…or are just irritated they can't solely run the show. You know those people that think they are the only busy people in the world and that the PTO is made up of wealthy SAHMs - which is soooo not the case in our school.

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but this hit a raw nerve.

Since, in my experience, both consist of a bunch of pushy, overbearing moms with a somewhat even coating of whiny suckups, not much of a difference at all.

While I'm sure every organization has their share, I have to ask, do you go to meetings? Do you volunteer? Have you ever served on a PTA or PTO board?

My wife was voted into numerous positions (including president); within the PTA at one school and the PTO in another. She worked a full-time job while doing this and gave a lot of her time and energy to do the best job she could. And believe me, the time she has donated for these volunteer positions is extensive.

I can't speak about your situation, but I know in our schools it has always been difficult to get parents to volunteer and help out. Those that do help unfortunately have to be asked again and again because they are the only ones people can rely on.

So perhaps you might try and volunteer to help out. If you work during the day, I'm sure there are things to be done at night. Maybe you'll come to look at these other moms in a new light.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

This is very true. While I can't make most PTO meetings anymore, I help out with certain functions and am always welcome and appreciated. It's been my experience that those that consider the PTA cliquey are just looking for excuses as to why they can't get involved…or are just irritated they can't solely run the show. You know those people that think they are the only busy people in the world and that the PTO is made up of wealthy SAHMs - which is soooo not the case in our school.

This is my experience, too. Our PTA serves a very important role. They raise a lot of money for the school to pay for library books, special ed, field trips, assemblies, classroom supplies, updated technology, plus fun things like school carnival, picnic, etc, and the list goes on. I don't find them pushy at all, unless you think it's pushy to ask multiple times for volunteers. If they didn't, though, events wouldn't be adequately staffed and people would complain about how long the lines are!

Anyway, we have a PTA, but many of our teachers have the same reward system. The PTA has nothing to do with it. Teachers ask parents for donations of any small toys or trinkets they want to get rid of (there are tons of happy meal toys in there!) and lots of parents go out and buy new items for the store as well.