PTA Power

It must be school week, here at Dr. Clouthier. The New York Times on powerful PTAs:

In suburbs like Livingston, the ranks of parent groups now include lawyers, bankers, marketing executives and other professionals who tote laptops and briefcases to monthly school meetings — where refreshments are catered rather than homemade. They have raised tens of thousands of dollars for extras like new playgrounds and writing workshops amid budget cutbacks, and have taken over administrative functions that principals no longer have the time or inclination to do, like screening acts for school assemblies or signing contracts with instructors for after-school programs.

I think parent involvement is a good thing. Our school got a new play set and some covers outside which were desperately needed to shade from the Houston heat. The local PTO is indeed run by an executive. He treats it as such and seems to be a very nice, innovative guy.

Even still, I'm not involved with the PTA. I don't have the time or inclination. My kids are in after-school sports, piano, dance and drama. I spend hours weekly working with my autistic son, getting him caught up. Meanwhile, a two year old runs around dismantling the house. More power to the power PTA-ers.