PTO makes changes to allocate funds to schools

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@mahometnews.com

Mahomet, Ill. – The newly elected Mahomet-Seymour PTO board is focused on bringing parents, teachers and community businesses together for the benefit of students.

“I feel like there needs to be an internal change with the board, and how we relate to the community,” said first-time PTO president Penny Moison. “One of the major change is this team mentality. We’re going to work together better. And my job will be to facilitate that.”

Moison, a first-grade parent, worked with the PTO this year to make the organization more inclusive.  She doesn’t want parents, teachers and the PTO to work separately.

Although the new board will not take over until June, Moison has collected information to implement change as early as June.

Parent and teachers were sent a survey in April in an effort to understand the perception of the PTO and where the organization can begin to implement changes.

Immediately the board learned that the Back to School Social held in August starts before teacher’s contracts start.  While nearly half the teachers who responded said they would be okay with keeping the social, there is already discussion on changing to an in-classroom meet-and-greet during the teacher contract.

A discussion over events like Science Day have also cited that teachers aren’t asked input on how the event ties in with the curriculum or what day will work best for the school.

“The value of the teachers and the voice of the parents needs to be heard,” Moison said.  “We need to represent what the real needs are and not the perceived needs.”

“We start with building a solid team as the board that clearly communicates, but then also develops that positive relationship with the teachers and the principals,” said said.  “Do they want us to come to staff meetings? Do they want us to be more physically available to them?”

The PTO has been in contact with teachers to form a teacher representative committee at Middletown, Sangamon and Lincoln Trail Elementary.

First-grade teacher Cheryl Mitchell is already on board.

“I see some really phenomenal things that can happen between the schools and the PTO for a changing population in Mahomet,” Mitchell said.  “I see a partnership, and I want to help foster that.”

Mitchell plans to host a brainstorming session for teachers before the new board takes over in June.

While past PTO boards have finalized on the budget for the following school year in June.  Moison said that this board will wait for teacher and parent input throughout the summer before deciding where to allocate funds.

In September the budget will be presented to the general assembly. The executive committee will then meet with principals before the finalized budget is presented in October after funds have been raised at the 2013 Dawg Walk.

The Dawg Walk raises between $65-75 thousand dollars each year.  The records from 2007 show that 60 percent of the funds raised went directly to the school.  Within the 2012-2013 school year, that number was down to 30 percent.

Current teacher allocations are around $125 while many teachers say they spend hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket for classroom needs.

The PTO feels that the Dawg Walk is a successful fundraiser.  The new board wants to add to that fund by finding new ways to raise funds from businesses and websites.

“As a board we want to be responsible stewards with the money,” Moison said. “Not just frivolous.  Our number one goal will be to swing the amount of money going into the schools.  If we can get back up to that 60 percent mark, that would be awesome.”

The PTO is responsible for $5000 for insurance, bonding and a storage unit.

With the money left over, Moison wants hear ideas on programs that will reach a maximum number of students.

“I think that they are open to looking at things and not just doing them just because,” Mitchell said.  “They will do things intentionally.  These activities will become purposeful.”

Mitchell said that she’s had to change her teaching philosophy with recent classes.  The PTO wants to hear information like this so that they can think about how to help in the classroom.

“I’ve resisted iPads, but they learn so much from those things,” Mitchell said. “The kids and the way they learn has changed, so the way that we teach them needs to change. I’m hoping that we can think about the intention behind all the activities that we do.  Is it to support our kids educationally?”

Discussion on the importance of bounce houses or DJs at event is already taking place.  The new board is looking at ways to provide fun, educational activities for the students while keeping funds for educational opportunities both in and out of school.

Moison wants to encourage a conversation on where to make cuts and how to allocate spending.  She feels that if the PTO knows what the concerns, needs or complaints are, then the PTO can address them.

“It could take us a couple years, but I want to make some changes now,” Moison said.  “If I know what to do, then we’re going to do it. I want to move from people feeling like they aren’t being heard, to acknowledging them, then moving to see if we can do anything about it.”