Parent-teacher compromise discussed

A bill meant to give equal access to parent volunteer groups in schools is back to its original version.

After over an hour of discussions Tuesday evening, Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, agreed to remove an amendment from SB199.

The amendment would have required Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Organization groups to allow a waiver of membership dues upon a parent's request.

PTA officials are adamantly against waiving dues. Removing the amendment would satisfy PTA while maintaining the goal of the bill: that parent groups have an equal voice in school and district decisions regardless of whether they are a PTA or a PTO.

"I think we made some progress toward a bill that would provide equal access for all parents and it sounds like we're going to have a bill that both sides can agree to," Bramble said.

PTA and PTO leaders said they appreciated Bramble's willingness to allow for a discussion.

The bill is headed for a second reading in the Senate.

— Amy K. Stewart