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Another
school year has gone by and what an exciting year it has been! We are looking
ahead to the 2008- 2009 school year, so please plan to attend the May 15th
general meeting to vote for the new board members. There will also be a “Buy
one get one free” Book Fair immediately following the meeting.
We will
celebrate our teachers and staff with a luncheon on May 21st. Thanks
to Dawn Van Dyke for chairing this event.
As I end the
year as your PTA President, I want to thank the administration, teachers, and
staff for all of their support; and also to all the wonderful parents who
volunteered for our events. What can I say about my fellow board members!!! You
are all fantastic and a great big THANKS to ALL!
PTA BOARD FOR 2008- 2009
As
our school year comes to a close, we must hold the elections for the PTA board.
Please plan to attend the May 15th meeting for voting in new board
members. The nominating committee has presented the following slate:
President Marcey
Broedell
1st VP (Membership)
Kathie Sherman
2nd VP (Adopt-A-Class) Dawn
Van Dyke
3rd VP (Fundraising) Amy
Clowdus
4th VP (Programs)
Lisa Wiley
5th VP (Reflections)
Linda Braz
6th VP (Family Fun Night)
Laurie Frost
Corresponding Secretary Stephanie Earle
Recording Secretary Kim Desreuisseau
Treasurer Sheryl
Molter
Interested in getting more involved with your child’s school and
education??
Join the HSE PTA!! Come to the meetings, and have a voice in what happens
in your child's education.
Membership is only $8 per family
2007-2008 PTA BOARD MEMBERS
 President |
Sheryl Molter |
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Treasurer |
Kathie Sherman |
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Corresponding Secretary |
Dawn Van Dyke |
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Recording Secretary |
Chris Reichle |
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1st
VP (Adopt-A-Class Chair) |
Marcey Broedell |
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2nd
VP (Membership) |
Dawn Keathley |
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3rd
VP (Fundraising) |
Katie Person |
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4th
VP (Programs) |
Lisa Wiley |
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5th
VP (Reflections) |
Linda Braz |
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6th
VP (Family Fun Nights/Programs) |
Kristin Baltes |
The Federal Budget and
Your School 
While PTA’s
sometime help schools raise money for innovative programs or equipment, funding is a much broader issue that needs PTA members’ attention. School
funding will determine if adequate recourses are available to ensure that
students receive a quality education.
Local public
schools are primarily funded through local and state revenues. These revenues
typically are generated by taxes, but sometimes states and districts will help
fund education through other sources. According to records from the US Office
of Management and Budget, in the year 2000 county or district governments paid
an average of 50% of school costs and the state paid an average of 43%. The
remaining 7% came from the federal government. While small, that percentage is
essential for continuing many important programs at your school.
This brochure
is for those of you who have wondered what impact the federal budget has on your
local school. Many times, the budget debates on Capitol Hill seem far removed
from our local communities. However, as you will learn here, our participation
in these debates is essential for maintaining and increasing the federal
investment in our local schools.
What does the
federal budget pay for education? What commitment does the federal government
make to our schools, and what will happen in the federal investment in education
is cut? We will look at these questions, as well as at education in the
brochure picture of the federal budget as a whole.
See also: NATIONAL PTA, everychild.onevoice
Vouchers
and education tax subsidies
Vouchers and education tax subsidies,
which include tax free saving accounts and tax deductions on credits for
education expenses, reduce the public revenue available to fund public schools.
They also divert funds to private schools that may practice selective admissions
and are not accountable to taxpayers. Vouchers in education tax subsidies do
nothing to improve public education. Public funds should be applied only to
public schools, which are open and available to all children, and are
accountable to the public. There are currently no federally funded private
school voucher programs.
What
can parents do?
Parents can advocate to make
education a top federal spending priority. You must let your congressional
representative know that you support increased funding and fulfillment of
funding commitments that are made in federal laws such as ESEA and
IDEA.
Remember, these funds directly impact your child’s education.
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Contact you members of Congress
and let them know you support full funding of federal education programs. Ask
if they will favor full funding for education and will vote to make it
happen. If you are unsure about how to contact your congressional
representatives, contact National PTA at (800) 307-4PTA (4782).
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Work with your local and state
PTA on federal funding campaign. Build coalitions and find other education
partners, like-minded organizations, and parents interested in working with
you on this issue. Talk with your principal, your school board, your
representatives at the state legislature, and your representatives to Congress
about federal funding for education, and to what can be done to persuade
Congress to meet the obligations set out in ESEA an IDEA. In an election
year, ask your candidates where they stand on education funding.
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Participate in the "FIVE
CENTS MAKES SENSE FOR EDUCATION" campaign with National PTA. This is a
national campaign to raise the percentage of the federal investment in
education to 5 cents of every tax dollar. Five cents would double the current
amount of funding for education, and go a long way toward meeting the
education needs of America’s children. You can find out more about this
campaign on Nation PTA’s website.
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Through your efforts, federal
education spending can be increased, states will be able to improve their
programs and services and PTA’s can spend their time supporting
the principal, the teachers and the student s through advocacy activities
instead of through fund-raising.
NATIONAL
PTA
330 N. Wabash Avenue
Suite 2100
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(800) 307-4PTA (4782)
What do federal dollars pay for in education?
Generally federal funds support efforts to
promote academic achievement. Below are some key programs within the ESEA also
known as NCLB (No child Left Behind
Act) which are supported with federal
dollars.
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Title I- Target low-achieving students and schools
in high poverty areas. The funds help schools and students who need
additional resources.
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Teacher Quality- The fed. Budget provides funding
for professional dev. Opportunities for teachers and school staff to improve
teaching skills to improved student learning.
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Bilingual education- for programs that help students
who do not speak English as their primary language
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Impact aid- School districts receive compensation
for the loss of local tax revenue cased by federal activity such as the
presence of military bases or other government property.
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Other school reforms in ESEA (Elementary and
Secondary Education Act)- Initiatives such as parent involvement technology
enhancement, and other school improvement projects are covered within the
federal government’s commitment to schools.
HOMEPAGE
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