Inequity was definitely a serious problem for PTA funding. I was very marginally involved at the start of this and thought that they should’ve had each school PTA contribute half of their fundraising to the equity project. Parents would still be invested in fundraising because half would remain with their own schools, and a significant amount of money-the other half- would be available to be re-distribute to schools with less fundraising ability. Simple. The current set up is opaque, confusing, and has demotivated parents. You could argue that parents should care just as much about raising money for the fund since it’s for all the school kids in Evanston, but it’s human nature to prefer to give money to people you know. It’s also human nature to prefer to give money to people you trust., like your own PTA board.
Why was the district not purchasing modems and equipment for families to use? Where exactly did all their Covid funds go? Teachers are begging for funding on websites like Donors Choose because their PTA no longer has funding for these formally routine asks. This district is a dumpster fire of shysterisms. Biz is an opportunity hoarder- why is it ok for her to be on both boards? Why wouldn’t the opportunity be given to another community member? As a consultant, this is a resume pad for her. Show Me The Money. I hear fundraising at schools is not near where it used to be. Why? Because parents want to share the wealth- but this isn’t Mother Russia. We want OUR money to go directly to OUR kids and OUR teachers. Know how there are oligarchs and rampant corruption in Moscow? Look no further than JEH. Someone is profiting off of this. Time to shine a light on them.
To answer your first question; I have learned more on this subject.
1. The PTA Equity fund actually purchased some of the equipment using a grant they received from ECF (https://evanstonforever.org/grants/grantmaking-history/) - at least 200 chromebooks were purchased through this program. Why didn't the District do this? It's small change compared to many other programs they were running.
2. Judging by emails this week related to snow closures, there is surely a closet full of hotspots in every school now. Not a bad thing, but again, why is the PTA purchasing those?
As for the latter part, "collectivist action" has been part of the mission for a few years now, Dr. Horton himself uses that phrase when he speaks. It's not surprising that an opportunity like COVID in April 2020 would be a moment to push those goals.
Either way, it sounds like it's a three year program and the PTAs can elect to continue this or pull out next year, although I don't have proof of that because there are no public records.
Edit: I also want to be mindful that inequity in PTA funding is a real genuine problem. I don't know what the right solution is but this approach seems fraught.
In 2014, when my kids were in grade school, I stopped funding our PTAs at an elementary and a middle school (I have/had 6 kids go through d65) and I sent in all those funds to Oakton school after learning that they raised only like 7-10k that year while my two schools were regularly raising 30-50k. I know it isn’t equal or fair. But PEP gives me shivers- it is not transparent at all and local control over money is best in my experience, figuring out a tithe goal to PEP based off of the previous year’s earnings.
Inequity was definitely a serious problem for PTA funding. I was very marginally involved at the start of this and thought that they should’ve had each school PTA contribute half of their fundraising to the equity project. Parents would still be invested in fundraising because half would remain with their own schools, and a significant amount of money-the other half- would be available to be re-distribute to schools with less fundraising ability. Simple. The current set up is opaque, confusing, and has demotivated parents. You could argue that parents should care just as much about raising money for the fund since it’s for all the school kids in Evanston, but it’s human nature to prefer to give money to people you know. It’s also human nature to prefer to give money to people you trust., like your own PTA board.
Why was the district not purchasing modems and equipment for families to use? Where exactly did all their Covid funds go? Teachers are begging for funding on websites like Donors Choose because their PTA no longer has funding for these formally routine asks. This district is a dumpster fire of shysterisms. Biz is an opportunity hoarder- why is it ok for her to be on both boards? Why wouldn’t the opportunity be given to another community member? As a consultant, this is a resume pad for her. Show Me The Money. I hear fundraising at schools is not near where it used to be. Why? Because parents want to share the wealth- but this isn’t Mother Russia. We want OUR money to go directly to OUR kids and OUR teachers. Know how there are oligarchs and rampant corruption in Moscow? Look no further than JEH. Someone is profiting off of this. Time to shine a light on them.
To answer your first question; I have learned more on this subject.
1. The PTA Equity fund actually purchased some of the equipment using a grant they received from ECF (https://evanstonforever.org/grants/grantmaking-history/) - at least 200 chromebooks were purchased through this program. Why didn't the District do this? It's small change compared to many other programs they were running.
2. Judging by emails this week related to snow closures, there is surely a closet full of hotspots in every school now. Not a bad thing, but again, why is the PTA purchasing those?
As for the latter part, "collectivist action" has been part of the mission for a few years now, Dr. Horton himself uses that phrase when he speaks. It's not surprising that an opportunity like COVID in April 2020 would be a moment to push those goals.
Either way, it sounds like it's a three year program and the PTAs can elect to continue this or pull out next year, although I don't have proof of that because there are no public records.
Edit: I also want to be mindful that inequity in PTA funding is a real genuine problem. I don't know what the right solution is but this approach seems fraught.
In 2014, when my kids were in grade school, I stopped funding our PTAs at an elementary and a middle school (I have/had 6 kids go through d65) and I sent in all those funds to Oakton school after learning that they raised only like 7-10k that year while my two schools were regularly raising 30-50k. I know it isn’t equal or fair. But PEP gives me shivers- it is not transparent at all and local control over money is best in my experience, figuring out a tithe goal to PEP based off of the previous year’s earnings.