A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my resistance to volunteering at my son’s elementary school in favor of my precious free time. Since then, the volunteer requests and pleas from school have continued. Not to mention the numerous fund raising packets being sent home. The school seems to be begging for help and this concerns me.
When I grew up in California (back in the olden days when Nixon was president) music, physical education, sports and art were all programs that were funded by the state and local taxes. Going on a field trip didn’t cost a dime. The only fundraisers we had were the yearly school carnivals, with maybe a couple of bake sales thrown in. The PTA was indeed an important component of the school, but it wasn’t expected to support all these programs. Now, without our PTA and volunteers, these programs wouldn’t exist.
The more I started thinking about the funding issues for these programs, and the staff cutbacks, the more enraged I’ve become. Why aren’t more of our tax dollars going to our children’s education? Of course I’ve always been aware our public education crisis, but I guess sometimes issues and problems don’t sink in until they hit home, and your oldest son starts Kindergarten. Now I’m wondering, what the heck has happened? Why are things getting worse and not better? I needed to find out and who better to call than my school’s PTA President? 
I have to tell you that I had to take a couple of deep breaths before I made the call to her. As the phone was ringing, I was secretly hoping that my call would go into her voicemail. But no, I got her on the phone immediately. After introducing myself and explaining my concern with our public schools and funding, I told her I wanted to learn more, I wanted to meet with her, and I wanted to blog about it. She agreed and now I’m all set to meet with the PTA President today.
Holly macaroni, the PTA President and the slacker mom sitting down for a chat — talk about worlds colliding.
I guess I’m hoping that maybe I can help too. It’s not about me and my precious free time anymore — it’s about our kids and their education. Geez, did I just say that? That PTA is really rubbing off on me. I didn’t even tell you that I broke down and sent in my membership form….yep, they got me.
Check back here on Monday to find out what happens when I meet with The Prez. Do you think she’ll mind if I call her that? Anyway, I’ve got high hopes. Maybe I can make a difference and still maintain my slacker mom status. Gosh darn it….I guess I really do care!
Check out my 1970 third grade school picture above. I found it in my old “School Years” book. Would you believe that under the section ”What I want to be when I grow up,” I checked MODEL! The other careers listed to choose from were: Mother, Nurse, School Teacher, Airline Hostess and Secretary. Ahhh…those were the days! Also, after looking at this photo, my boys wanted to know why I was a boy back then.
Would you like to be featured here and on 
Proposition 13 decimated schools. When you combine Federal and State taxes we actually pay some of the lowest rates in the modern world. Eventually, this lack of investment in our future (think also infrastructure, green energy, the environment, etc.) will leave us a Third World country. Think about that when you vote…the Republicans offer only short term solutions ($10 trillion debt, drill, baby, drill!) while leaving us woefully unprepared to face future challenges.
Jenny, I too have asked myself the question of, why does the PTA (or parents) have to fund seemingly everything now? The very first election I was eligible to vote in was when we voted in the lottery. I voted for it with enthusiasm. Being a theater major I realized how much the lottery was going to help keep those programs alive and even increase their budgets! How naive I was back then. All they did was reduce school budgets and at a faster rate then the lottery could fill the void. I was lied to and now with three kids in school, I am being ripped off. Today I am very cautious with my time and money in regards to the schools. I only give to the arts programs (thus is my passion) and I purchase the needed items myself. That way I am assured they get the best equipment without being over charged.
What is going on here? Do you want the government to do it all? Raise your kids and school them?!? Not only is the government supporting public schools it is paying for much of your infrastructure you use as you sit on the couch eating bon-bons (if they still have those in the stores, what? do you want the government to mandate that they bring those back too???). I will give it to you that you have a 24/7 job and I only have a 9-5 one. Okay you got me there. BUT, I bet you’re a democrat and want the government to pay for everything, and take care of you because you can’t or won’t. You probably want socialized medicine too?!? Stop being a slacker mom, get off the couch and do something, EVEN IF IT IS WRONG!!! At least do something!!! Yes, I read your blog, so you’re going to talk to the PTA president. So you can b*tch about what they are not doing? Oh boy, I can’t wait ’till Monday’s blog.
wow, dad’s POV, you have some issues. Do you have kids in school? Do you even have kids?
I myself AM a Republican and I feel very angry that school budgets are being cut, the lottery was sold to us as “and schools win too!” and teachers are the lowest paid people to be influencing my kid’s thoughts and thinking. I don’t expect government to pay for everything, but I do expect that school funding be better than it is. I expect my child to have an experience similar to the one I had - choir, school plays, sports teams, band and music classes. We have a horrible graduation rate when compared to other countries that value education. Here we value money. You even see it in the names of our sporting stadiums now - the Staples Center, the Honda Center, 3ComPark, etc. We don’t even honor PEOPLE any more. Next, we’ll be getting corporate sponsors for schools. I can see it now…students will graduate from the Bounty Paper Towels’ La Quinta High School and Office Depot’s Washington Junior High. Sickening.
Dad’s POS, slow down man. Take a breath. Ok, now realize that these kids are the ones that are going to be running things while you are in a diaper in the home. Be nice if they were well educated don’t you think? Also remember that your taxes should be paying for the same things they have always paid for. If they aren’t then where is the money going? hmmm..
And yeah you read it but because of the education you received, obviously don’t understand it.
The proceeding statements were also from a concerned REPUBLICAN.
Dad’s POV, I’m guessing you have children ergo the screenname, but open your mind at least for your kid/kids sake. Are you a man who gives money away to a person who promises he/she will give you something in return, and then defends that person even when there isn’t delivery on the promise? This is essentially what your comment screams out. Republicans - Democrats; it just doesn’t matter in this case. Our kids are suffering in the education department.
One more thing and I apologize for going on tangent… Dad’s POV, you talk about socialized medicine like it’s a bad thing. I lived in the Netherlands for 4 years where they have socialized medicine. It was the BEST thing since sliced bread. The physicians treated us as patients and not a person who is going to help pay for that shiny car in the parking lot. I was never concerned about getting a second opinion because I was afraid that the doctor was overcharging me. I had a baby in the States and my second child abroad… The comparison is like night and day. That Dutch government also provided a nurse to come to my home for SEVEN DAYS to help me, my baby and my older child while my husband was away at work… and it was all paid by the government.
Slacker Mom, I eagerly await your blog on Monday. Lots of luck to you and don’t feel guilty! As moms we give so much of ourselves to our families. Taking a breather for a couple of hours is fair… and maybe even required for sanity. I’m sure even 9-to-5-ers like Dad up there takes a week or two off from work.
Something you might ask your PTO Prez: Since the school’s “recommend” that we parents buy school supplies for the classroom, why doesn’t the PTO create an account for all the parents to contribute their share of cash. That way, the PTO could possibly buy supplies at bulk rate prices and/or have the money go farther through a teacher’s discount. The PTO could possibly have some leftover for extras. At least that’s what I’d like to say to my PTO Prez!
I have my own opinions based on direct knowledge and experience…which I think for now I will keep to myself. I only want to say I am grateful the subject is out there being discussed.
Take action or don’t. Just think about it before you turn a deaf ear or hold your opinion in your shaking fist.
Do what Jenny is doing investigate it, then take action. I know you will.
Hey Broad, you are brilliant! Great post.
I think before I assume that any amount of additional taxes will help our schools I’d like to understand where the very large portion of our state revenue that is devoted to our schools ends up being spent. And why it seems there is so little remaining by the time we reach the classroom. Only then can we understand what needs fixed and how to fix it. I understand the very emotional plea to vote for the “right” candidate but in the world as it is I don’t think that exists. Both parties have managed to make a mess out of the average person’s life meddling in values and wallets where they have no business. Find me a candidate who will find the actual problem and a “real” solution for it. Giving a raise to the husband of a shop-a-holic won’t fix their debt. And raising taxes to give to politicians at the top level of school system won’t fix our classroom issues.
Everyone - Thanks so much for your comments and sharing in my concern about our schools and their educational funding issues and needs. I truly appreciate your views (even yours, Mr. dad’s POV) and you each had some great points. My meeting with the PTA president went very well…please check out my follow-up blog : http://themomblog.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/06/slacker-mom-picks-up-the-slack/
Thanks!