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Friday, November 25, 2005
Haves and Have-Nots
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A comment on the arts thread about music programs galore in Gwinnett’s Brookwood district left me thinking about schools with involved parents and schools without.
Schools like Brookwood Elementary have active parents who are willing and able to raise money necessary to make their school great. Years ago a Dad at Peachtree Elementary, also in Gwinnett, told me he could afford to send his child to a private school, but he chose Peachtree. He said, “I am willing to spend as much of my own money as it takes to make sure Peachtree has everything a private school does.” Sure enough, Peachtree got a new gym floor shortly thereafter.
What about schools where parents can’t or don’t get involved? A new gym floor may be a luxury, but what about PTAs that fund music teachers and programs that were once considered standard? Should schools restrict how much parents can spend on improving their school? Should wealthy PTAs contribute some money to schools serving families of lesser means?
