A version of this story also appears in The Daily Norwalk
There was vocal opposition at last night’s PTO Council meeting to a proposed change in the bylaws that would allow Bruce Kimmel, a parent with a child who is no longer in the school system, to run for president.
“The PTOC is a unique group for parents,” said Lynn Massey, president of Parents for Brien McMahon and former PTOC president. “I really believe it must remain that way. I think the policy should stand.”
Bruce Kimmel, former BOE and Common Council member, said that he was asked by current PTOC members to run for president. However, upon hearing the opposition to changing the bylaws from the group, he decided to withdraw his candidacy. “This is a complicated issue and one that requires thought. Now would not be the right time. We are not ready to change the bylaws. It has to done in a way that protects the integrity of the organization.”
Kimmel did caution against “creating a false distinction between parents and taxpayers. Many taxpayers are still parents and parents are taxpayers. Both groups should be working together.”
Even before tonight's stalled vote, the PTOC was at an organizational crossroads. Six of the seven positions on the board are open and there is a sense that the organization may have to fold if not enough parents volunteer for the vacancies. As it stands, there is only one returning Board Member, Emily Aguilar, and one possible candidate, Jeffrey Spahr.
Since only seven of Norwalk’s 19 participating PTOs were in attendance preventing a quorum needed for an election, it was decided that a committee would be convened to assist Aguilar recruit more candidates over the summer.
Aguilar said that the group was having a hard time recruiting parent volunteers. “We started to think outside the box and looked to parents who used to be active,” she said. Jennifer Covello, outgoing treasurer said, “We wouldn’t have thought to change the bylaws if there were other parents who decided to volunteer.”
The meeting ended with a broader discussion of the role of PTOs in the schools and how to cast a wider net to include parents who cannot make meetings and are not interested in fundraising. Former BOE Chair Rosa Murray was in attendance, “We need to think about how to reinvent parent participation."
There was vocal opposition at last night’s PTO Council meeting to a proposed change in the bylaws that would allow Bruce Kimmel, a parent with a child who is no longer in the school system, to run for president.
“The PTOC is a unique group for parents,” said Lynn Massey, president of Parents for Brien McMahon and former PTOC president. “I really believe it must remain that way. I think the policy should stand.”
Bruce Kimmel, former BOE and Common Council member, said that he was asked by current PTOC members to run for president. However, upon hearing the opposition to changing the bylaws from the group, he decided to withdraw his candidacy. “This is a complicated issue and one that requires thought. Now would not be the right time. We are not ready to change the bylaws. It has to done in a way that protects the integrity of the organization.”
Kimmel did caution against “creating a false distinction between parents and taxpayers. Many taxpayers are still parents and parents are taxpayers. Both groups should be working together.”
Even before tonight's stalled vote, the PTOC was at an organizational crossroads. Six of the seven positions on the board are open and there is a sense that the organization may have to fold if not enough parents volunteer for the vacancies. As it stands, there is only one returning Board Member, Emily Aguilar, and one possible candidate, Jeffrey Spahr.
Since only seven of Norwalk’s 19 participating PTOs were in attendance preventing a quorum needed for an election, it was decided that a committee would be convened to assist Aguilar recruit more candidates over the summer.
Aguilar said that the group was having a hard time recruiting parent volunteers. “We started to think outside the box and looked to parents who used to be active,” she said. Jennifer Covello, outgoing treasurer said, “We wouldn’t have thought to change the bylaws if there were other parents who decided to volunteer.”
The meeting ended with a broader discussion of the role of PTOs in the schools and how to cast a wider net to include parents who cannot make meetings and are not interested in fundraising. Former BOE Chair Rosa Murray was in attendance, “We need to think about how to reinvent parent participation."
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What does this say when no one has commented on two postings regarding the PTOC? What does is say when no one wants to step up to the plate and help the PTOC survive?
ReplyDeleteTo me it says that parents who complain vociferously on this blog; blaming teachers, administrators, central office, superintendents and anyone in the school system about the terrible jobs 'they' are doing..... couldn't care less about supporting their schools themselves.
Judge not that you shall not be judged!
Questions: What is the actual job description for PTOC members? What is the time commitment?
ReplyDeleteI think the PTOs at many schools are tiny and overbooked b/c of many factors:
* meetings happen when parents are still working or are feeding their kids. (7pm meetings for elementary school?!)
* meetings feel like an in-group of people all talking about events in progress. This is natural given that the same small group of people runs every event; however, the down side is that newcomers to the meetings feel unwanted and unnecessary so they don't return.
* most meetings / notices focus on fundraising, and that gets old. Given how poor many of our families are, and that even the middle class is struggling these days, PTOs need to present themselves as something other than just fundraisrs. I wish all of our schools were community centers like Naramake.
But given how small the PTOs are, how can Norwalk draw from that tiny pool for the PTOC? I agree; parent participation--and the broader role of the PTOC--needs to be reinvented.
I'm not a member of the PTO, but I am a parent of a college student. After reading the two articles Moina posted, I thought I would make a few comments.
ReplyDeleteHaving the organization fold is not necessarily a bad thing. There is actually a business model for organization that looks like a standard bell curve which has the word "birth" on the left side, the peak is labled "stable" and the bottom right is labled "death". About 1/4 from the peak, there is a curved line connecting the right side to the left and it is labeled "renewal", at the half way point between the top and the bottom, there's another curved line which I believe is labeled "revitalize" and 1/4th of the way from the bottom is a similar line labeled "reorganize".
From what I have read, the PTO is on the right side of the curve and positioned very close to the reorganize breaking point. When I was hearing the lecture about this model, the instructor said that having an organization die off may mean that there isn't a need for the original, expressed purpose anymore. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The group may have served its purpose, and obtained the goal. If the PTO doesn't make it, that also doesn't mean it can't resurrect itself in a few years if the need is there.
So for those who do have children in NPS, if this is the time to let the PTO fade gracefully into the sunset, so be it. Best of wishes.
It is a sorry commentary that many parents only rally for their special interests - and not for the general population of students in Norwalk. We've read about the parent groups who have come out in force to support their schools against staff cuts, the middle school AT programs and the strings programs. Yet, we expect a few to speak for all children in Norwalk. Where were these parents Monday night?
ReplyDeleteA true community thinks beyond their immediate environment/needs and advocates for the general public - in this case the children of Norwalk.
While it is busy season for all of us, each school should have had a representative who was able to vote at last night's meeting. The fact that half of our PTOs had no representation is a disgrace. No action could be taken.
Frankly, I had concerns about the implications of PTOC By-Law changes. However, I would like to applaud Bruce Kimmel for stepping up to the plate. I truly believe that his willingness to lead the PTOC was not politically motivated but motivated by a dedication to education and public service.
I also hope that Jeff Spahr was not disillusioned by last night's meeting and that we see him as an active participant in next year's PTOC Board.
Finally, a thank you for the departing PTOC Board. I understand your frustration but hope to see you at next year's meetings as PTOC representatives or simply as interested parents.
Thanks you all for your comments. To the poster who asked about the job descriptions – they can be found here: http://teacherweb.com/CT/PTOC/PTOC/apt6.aspx under Article VI - “Duties of Officers.” There are some specifics not included in the job descriptions, such as newsletter blasts and website updates, therefore will be up to the next board to decide how these duties are allocated among the positions that are filled.
ReplyDeleteOne of our goals on the PTOC this year was to encourage a sense of community among the schools – to encourage PTO’s not just to work on behalf of their own kids but for all of Norwalk’s children – and I believe that we have made a lot of headway in a short period of time. The dynamic at Monday night’s meeting was a bit different than we typically see during our monthly meetings - less PTO representation and more community representation – but we are encouraged that several people stepped up to volunteer to recruit for PTOC positions next year. And as another poster mentioned, if the public truly does not want a PTOC next year, that will be determined and hopefully another organization will take its place.
I personally have had a wonderful experience in my two years on the PTOC and hope that its mission to benefit children in all Norwalk Public Schools continue in some shape or form.
Many could feel uncomfortable being involved in such a disgracing mess. Others may be more concerned with either keeping food on the table or moving altogether out of the area.
ReplyDeleteThan there is the whole fairly large group that have given up and let themselves fall out of touch. Thats a shame and thats specifically what those that care must struggle for, its complacency that is the true ememy of progress. Far as the time considerations, we are now fully stepping into the digital age. There is no reason why meetings cannot be held on line. And as for the line and curves business comparison graphic, well lets keep that in algebra 1, shall we? We are in whole new teritory here and there is no intruction manual. People are not so easily classified nor rational no less logical. Complacencey, distrust, embarassment, yep, I sure want to raise my hand and be a part of all that. Low teacher, student,faculty, parent moaral? Duh. Incompentent administration? Could be? Fracturing of the family and community fabric?
Yes could be factors. What is the solution? Education, equal access to quality instructors of the highest calibre and fully up to speed on upgrades. Could that make a diference? What about curiculum upgrades using current technolgy? Would that close the achievement gap and level the playing field? Whenever, if ever, we get a leader that can motivate, stimulate and organize we just may get our sails up to catch the coming winds. If your reading this, all this, this far, dont let all this discourage you. Its only you that can bring positive change and yes only you that can let the status quo carry onto another lost generation. We can all find ways to get involved no matter what our schedules are. First and foremost is to get informed and keep informed. If your regularly stopping by Monia's blog, give yourself a pat on the back, your paying attention and that is the most crucial role you can play. So, the pto site has not been really keeping pace, sure we have some moms that we can pull away from the chats for an hour a week. Conference's? Arranging the logistics in busy housholds? Have to adapt. Everyone has access to the web somehow. Web conferences can be held at 930 pm after the kids are settled and no one has to dress or drive home, come as you are sit down and catch up with everyone. Have to get with the times here people, telecommuting is where its at.
Bruce, nothing in any bylaws or fine print about sitting back where you belong. Don't go anywhere Bruce, you have contributions left to make and your stoic reasoning is sorely needed.
Monia, Know you have been busy yourself, new client, daily hustle and bustle but you are following through and never ever underestimate the value of the public service you provide to us all by keeping this forum open and updated.
We do have some great folks here working silenty out of the limelight that are making significant headway. You know who you are and ya all have done good, real good. Keep it rollling. We are making a difference and having substantial impact.
Working together on a common goal of giving every child a fair chance, in the end, its a win, win, win.
We shall overcome. We shall triumph over illiteracy, bigotry. We shall lift eachother from the misery, the suffering, sufocating traps of poverty.
Yes We Can.
It is interesting how 2 PAID NPS employees and 2 former BOE representatives can derail a PTOC VOLUNTEER position and then go brag about it at the Norwalk Town Committee. Shame on you!
ReplyDeleteI attended the meeting & what a shame! The typical complaining players attended this meeting - and if no one was paying attention - let me break it to you. Those that voted not to change the bylaws were scared of Bruce! I've seen several emails from PTOC on recruiting and all of a sudden certain folks decided to volunteer to recruit - dumb of ms aguilar(sp?) to stay on board and deal with the typical group of hypocrites. Where were they when PTOC was recruiting in the beginning of the year. Shame on other schools for not being there and showing representation! Shame of us for letting politics continue to run our schools. Bruce Morris - you had no business at the meeting - worry about the schools instead. If PTOC does not come back next year - I won't miss it at all.
ReplyDeleteThis happens to organizations often but it is very rare that 6 of 7 positions are left vacant - usually if new people cannot be found the existing board will extend their commitments rather than see the group fade. Why are 6 officers resigning from the board? That sends a bad message in itself. Kudos to Emily for hanging in. I'd like to suggest that each resigning member go to their home school and find their own replacements. Have they also contacted the PLTI to see who recent graduates of the program are? What I saw is the word going out to those that already are overwhelmed - current PTO presidents, PTOC representatives and board members. Emails and blog posts. But there is a sea of untapped people not reading the blogs or receiving PTOC emails. Also people may not really understand the purpose of the PTOC, an information flyer going out to all parents may be a helpful tool. The idea of teleconferincing the meetings is a GREAT idea, Jennifer's Treasurer call was well attended and informative. Perhaps an option is that if there are people who are hesitant to fully take on a position the current board members are paired with a potential new officer for a few months to slowly assist in the transition rather than someone feeling like they are stepping onto a sinking ship.
ReplyDelete