By: Beth Cogan, WSPTA Region 6 Advocacy Chair, and the Region 6 Advocacy Team
As the school year winds down, PTAs (local, council, state) are holding elections, approving next year’s budgets and setting the stage for a successful 2026-2027 school year. School districts around the state are experiencing shortfalls and school administrators have to make some very difficult decisions. Losing a favorite teacher or meaningful school program can be heartbreaking for families and staff and some look to the local PTA to come to the rescue.
When a PTA is asked to fundraise to protect a program or staff position, a PTA should ask themselves if the fundraising fulfills the PTA mission. National PTA provides guidance in Mission-Driven Fundraising – Fundraising | Local Leader Kit. “Every PTA activity, including fundraising, should be focused on our mission: to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.” Local PTAs are encouraged to “begin each year with specific, mission-driven goals in mind.” The key word in our mission is “all”. Is it fair or equitable for some schools to be bailed out of a financial crisis by families with deep pockets? In other words, “some” children get resources to reach their potential.
National PTA provides additional guidance with Dos and Don’ts of Partnering with Administrators. It is important for all PTA boards to build a respectful relationship with school administrators, a relationship with boundaries. Regular meetings with a principal can support understanding of the school administrator’s role and the PTA role in meeting our respective goals. There are times when PTA may shift to align with an administrator’s goal. If a principal has a goal of raising math scores, the PTA may add a fun math community engagement event. A PTA Board wants to build trust and show the value of the PTA, which can be accomplished by listening and then asking what programs would be most valuable to the current cohort of students.
Washington State PTA also provides information in Washington State PTA’s Position on Funding for Staff – WSPTA and WSPTA Resolution 4.15-Mission Focused Fundraising, “Washington State PTA strongly advises its local PTAs and councils not to fund certificated and classified staff, school operations, and programs that are included in the definition of basic education.” This is because the state constitution clearly says that it is the state’s responsibility to fund basic education. PTAs should not “let the state off the hook” by funding those gaps but should use its power and resources to advocate for the state to fulfill its constitutional duty.
There also can be the dilemma of school administration having unrealistic or inappropriate expectations of the PTA. Colorado PTA addressed this concern in the article “Is Your PTA an ATM for Your School?”. It is important for PTAs to operate within the boundaries of our mission. It is ok, even imperative, for PTAs to say “No” when asked to fund something that is the school district or state/federal government’s responsibility. We do not want to enable a broken funding model or inefficient allocation of those funds.
If local PTAs need suggestions or support in realigning towards our mission: to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”, please reach out to your council or region leadership. We are here to help.