Parent Teacher Organization Picking up Budget Cut Tab

If you have ever wondered what exactly Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) do, besides set up fund raisers and annoy you for membership this blog is about precisely that! There's more to the PTO than fund raisers and membership drives.  The PTO encourages parents to get involved with the needs of the school  In general, the PTO hosts fun events for the families of the school not only raise money but to provide community building opportunities.  The PTGO at the school my youngest attends gives money to each of the teachers, departments, and to help off set the cost of field trip, pay for extra equipment. The ability to contribute to these needs are win win win for parents, teachers and most of all the students.

However, in these tough economic times it would seems that PTO's  are playing a much more substantial role. Last night I sat through Cameron Park Elementary schools PTGO meeting.  There was the usual discussion of "this is the budget" and "This is where our money is."  I want lie I generally zone out during these  discussions because frankly, I care enough not to listen.  I know we made money, I know its going to be used for a good cause.  Then came the old business of sending our 5th graders to the Poe Center.  The annual field trip to the Poe Center in Raleigh is a huge deal for the 5th graders.   The information shared at the Poe Center is part of Orange County school system's mandated curriculum. In the past, the county had always funded the annual trip. Most parents thought nothing of the trip, signed the permission trip form and off they went.  I do recall doing a similar gesture when my step son attended last year.  Not once do I believe it was questioned what exactly childern do at the Poe Center, nor do I think parents realized that the trip wasn't free. 
Our principal, Dr.Rogers motioned for funds from the PTGO to pay for the field trip.  There were some questions in the room as to what exactly happens at the Poe Center, and is there a less expensive route.  The teachers were adamant about the value of the experience for 5th graders.  Aside from the back and fourth comments between parents and teachers, what was being asked for was clear; The Budget cuts for the year had brought Dr. Rogers to us in a time of need.  She had turned to the one organization that could help the with the needs of the students, the PTGO.
I have this feeling that Cameron Park isn't the only PTO in Orange county digging into their surpluses to cover budget short falls.  I also wonder how schools are managing without an active PTO or schools that have parents that are financially strapped for money in their own households.  Now you can stop wondering about the PTO at your child's school and get active.  Show up to the meetings, plan the events, raise the money because chances are your child might lose a learning opportunity without your help.