That's not a criticism of PTOs, but rather an acknowledgment that for all the good things such volunteer groups do, they seldom touch on the fundamental operations of a school. But these new school councils also point to the real dichotomy in how public education is run in Georgia. At the same time these parent-based councils are being created, the state is consolidating its control over local school systems by creating more state agencies to regulate public education. That's going to be a real eye-opener for many of those who end up sitting on these individual school councils. While education is one of the most talked-about subjects among parents, it is often the least understood.
Few parents understand how schools are funded, staffed and operated.
The state and federal governments control 90 percent of education in Georgia, local school boards only about 10 percent. This lack of understanding about the role of state government is evident in the annual reports of local school advisory councils from the Jackson County School System. The history of these local councils and their reports give an insight into how the governor's more formal school councils are likely to work. For one thing, these reports show that parents have little idea of the real cost of public schools. Most LSAC reports recommend more school employees to the extent that the school system would be bankrupt if all those people were hired.