Bill would give all parents voice in school decisions

Parents should have an equal voice in school and district decisions regardless of whether they are members of a Parent Teacher Association or a Parent Teacher Organization, says Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo.

Bramble's SB199 passed the Senate Education Standing Committee Tuesday morning with a 5-1 vote.

"This is not an anti-PTA bill," Bramble said, adding that his wife has been a PTA president at every school their six children have attended in Provo School District. "It just says PTOs should be given equal recognition, equal access — have a seat at the table, either at the school or district level — if there are things being discussed, decisions being made, that affect the education of kids."

An amendment to the bill, approved by the committee Tuesday morning, states PTA and PTO groups must allow a waiver of membership dues, granted upon a parent's request. The amendment drew emotional comment from the public, along with heated debate among committee members.

A school's PTA group is affiliated with its national organization, and a portion of the local dues goes to the group national. A PTO isn't affiliated with the national PTA, its agenda or philosophy and can choose to charge dues or not.

Nationally, about 20 percent of schools have PTAs while 80 percent have PTOs and other groups. In Utah, about 75 percent of schools have PTAs while 25 percent generally have PTOs, according to Bramble and State PTA leaders.

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