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Foothill High School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is set to vote tonight whether to become an official Parent-Teacher Association (PTA).

Foothill’s PTO is currently independent. If members vote to become a PTA, the organization would become an affiliate of the national PTA – a formal membership organization.

Schools that choose to become a PTA must pay dues to state and nationals organization, as well as follow state and national group rules.

The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in room C-6 at Foothill High School, 4375 Foothill Road.

The public is invited to attend, however, only PTO members can vote on action items.

According to Pleasanton schools superintendent Parvin Ahmadi, the only schools not associated with the national PTA are Lydiksen Elementary, Pleasanton Middle and Foothill High schools.

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4 Comments

  1. PTA is the best chance parents have of improving public education – not just in Pleasanton, but in California and our nation. Too bad this article just focused on the increase in dues “about $4 per member” which are more than offset by the discount members receive (negotiated by PTA). Most of the “rules” the PTA has are those required of any non-profit 503c — yes there is more oversight but that’s a good thing considering the potential for mismanagement of funds. If you really want to understand what those “extra dues” go towards visit the pleasantonpta.org, capta.org, pta.org to learn more. As a Pleasanton mom who has been on the board of non-PTA’s, yes it “easier” to run, but they tend to be run more short-sighted and not concerned with the general state of education outside of their school’s boundaries.

  2. I don’t see any benefit to becoming a PTA. PTOs are a 501c3 organization and are tied in with PTO Today, a national organization. Donations to PTOs are tax deductible. The PTO I was a member of was inclusive of everyone, not just those who pay “dues”. To me, PTAs are very short-sighted and elitist.

  3. It’s been a few years, and I recall examining this more than a couple of times, but there was never a compelling reason to go with the national PTA organization. $4 per student = $2,400 or so for a K-5 school which could be put to better use, locally and for local projects, vs. handing it to a national organization in exchange for some level of guidance and support.

    The most important thing addressed by any Pleasanton parent/teacher group is the collection and allocation of funds above and beyond that which is provided by the state. All the fundraisers sponsored by these group generate cash for the schools, and the national PTA really doesn’t help or have any bearing on these efforts.

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