What is the difference between a PTA and PTO? Do all schools have one or the other?

Momof2: A PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) is not affiliated with the state and national PTAs. PTOs and PTAs serve the same function, but PTOs can't utilize the resources of the PTA. And most of the city's 192 schools don't have either. Last week, the school system said it has about 50 organized parent groups on record. Eric White was quoted in my story today saying there are 51 PTAs (and I know there are at least a few PTOs in the city as well).

I served as a City schools PTA President and when I needed help, it was the Maryland PTA that provided resources and guidance, not the Council of PTA's which many regard to be an ineffectual
organization that rarely takes the lead when it comes to parental involvement. How Mr. White can allow the organization to violate its bylaws by operating without a Treasurer or Secretary lends credence to the suspicion that he is using it for his own personal agenda, and not as an opportunity to advocate for Baltimore's schoolchildren. Time for new leadership.

Does Mr. White still have any students in the system? If it's the Eric White I know - and the photo looks like him - then his son graduated about five years ago. Isn't this a requirement of being head of the PTA?

And, I'm having a hard time reading between the lines of the whole Amos/Steiner thing. The article and the blogpost seem to be making a big deal out of it, so maybe it is - are you suggesting that Mr. White was deliberately hiding his identity so that he could get on the program and blast Alonso? Is Steiner deliberately involved with the deception? Why "Amos"? I thought at first it was an Amos & Andy reference.

A Teacher - Yes, I'm sure this is the Eric White you know....his son and daughter both graduated from citywide schools a couple of years ago. I'm not aware of any other younger kids of his who are in the BCPSS. I would certainly think that in order to be the head of the PTA umbrella organization that you would have to have a child enrolled in the school system.

First I must say as a longtime PTA Member and former Council President anyone who is committed to advocate oh behalf of our children education can be a member of PTA and hold an office.

Secondly I commend MD PTA for this action. This group operates under a 501C 3 status as a non profit it is extreamly important to turn over your books and mintues to the parent group (MD PTA) who approves your bylaws. By not doing so the level of accountabilty for membership dues is greatly hindered. This is no different than a political campaign or any other group collecting funds from others and not reporting to the proper authorities. If only this council had read the words so spoken on the PTA Mission (To support and speak on behalf of the children and youth is schools, in the community, and before government bodies and other organization that make decisions affecting children and to assist parents in developing skills needed to raise and protect their children and to encourage parents and public involvement in the public schools of this nation. And most importantly we cannot forget the objects ( To promote the welfare of childen and youth in home school community and place or worship, to raise the standards of home life, to secure adequate laws for the protection of children and youth, to bring in closer relationtions the home and school, that parents and teacher can cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth, to develope between educators and the general such united efforts as will secure all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental, social,and spirtual education. In closing this is a sad day for current and past PTA members that have depended on this council to lead our schools where they need to be, as parents we are our childrens first teacher. Prior to PTA there were no national orgainzed body advocating on behalf of this nations public school children. The need for strong organized parent groups in urban school district's is greater now than in our recent past.PTA is the strongest structure single National Organization which affect policy from Capitol Hill to the classroom. Anything to interrupt the advocacy efforts of parents and children in our urban school district can only be harmful to our children and youth. Maryland PTA is merely an arm of this national advocacy organization and has an obligation to insure all of the councils in the state of Maryland operate within the guidelines, rules and stucture set forth by National PTA.

It is unfortunate that the Baltimore City Council PTA had to go through this misleading disaster. I call it a disaster because obviously this PTA is being shut down because of an personal vendetta against the spokesperson. Let's take the time to get to the root cause of this information, is it really about the offices that were left open as people reported. Or is it about the lead spokesperson whom is speaking on behalf of the Baltimore City Council PTA. I am now a part of the Baltimore City Council. I am the Vice President of Parental Involvement of the PTA. Has anyone asked the other team members how do they feel about the spokesperson being the head. Like Obama said, it is about change. Change can take place anywhere from professional to day to day living. I am hoping in a quick change for the Baltimore City Council PTA.

Ms. Henderson
Vice President
Parental Involvement
Baltimore City Council PTA