Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-10-11
PTA
. Elementary Principals
4: Ask PTAFioht
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tional subjects about which
they are not fully informed.
PTA Manual Is Quoted
The report calls for q review
by both school and PTA OH
Gals Of the basic detectives o.
the national PTA.
It said that the PTA manual
itself points out that PTA or
carnations should mot inter
fere with the rightful preroga-
tives of the qualified teaching
staff or the responsible admin
istrative officials"
In addition, the report ex-
presses concern about "the
problem Of lay people passing
judgment on professional mat
tiers, which require special
training, experience, skill and
understanding.
I'VE recognize that parents
are educated and sincere. but
we maintain that they are not
necessarily educators.
These recommendations were
originally drawn UP by a Spe-
cial committee which was ap-
pointed by the Elementary
Principals Association last
spring to review school-PTA
relationships.
Accounting Of Funds Asked
The proposals were presented
to school administration off,
Gals at a meeting on June Is,
The minutes Of this meeting
kept by the elementary school
principals association show
that it was suggested at this
conference that the accounting
of funds for each PTA unit
should be a must. u"
And it was also suggested
that periodic reports" on the
financial affairs of these groups
be submitted to school admins
tration officials.
In addition, careful scruti-
MIXING of the Embarrassing ac-
tivities of PTA and other civic
groups who use the schools
was proposed.
Despite these points of fric-
ton, all responsible school and
education officials who had
been asked for an opinion said
that generally the PTAs are
performing a worthwhile Serv-
ice and that the schools need
their assistance.
Troubles Nearly a Year Old
While most principals enjoy
cordial relations with their re-
spective PTA groups, at least
on the surface, the present
trouble has been simmering for
nearly a year.
School Supt. Carl F. Hansen
has charged that the Raymond
Elementary School PTA was
interfering with the stability
OF the instruction program" at
this institution, one of the two
in which disputes have fiared
into the open.
AS a result of the squabble
at this school its PTA has been
threatened with expulsion from
the school building where it
normally met.
The second row which came
to public attention occurred at
the Lovejoy Elementary School.
where the PTA president quit
after charging that the princi-
pal tried to dominate the or
ganization.
Cites Lack Of Understanding
Mrs. c. Rhodes Cox, presi-
dent of the District Congress of
Parents and Teachers, said in
discussing school-PTA relation
ships that she had never seen
the recommendations made by
the District Elementary School
Principals Association.
There is a complete lack of
understanding on the part of
some principals of the role of
the PTA," she declared.
II would be very sorry to
hear of PTA trying to take
over administration of a school.
I've heard of no such thing.
Some of the principals feel
that parents can be useful, but
should have no ideas about
curriculum and educational
matters. I feel that the PTAI
definitely has a concern in
such matters"
Mrs. Cox, a former school
teacher herself, said she
thought it would be a good idea
II workshops were held to in
struct principals about the op-
Grafton and goals of PTA.
Regarding the suggestion
that an accounting should be
made of PTA funds, Mrs. Cox
said this matter is not a proper
subject of concern by the prin-
cipals since the PTA is a COM
pletely independent organize
ton.
She added that all PTAI
raising is governed by
strict regulations and pro-
cedures.
$50 Called Incompetent
A survey made by a PTAI
committee on teacher efficiency
is one factor behind the pres
ent rupture in some principal
PTA relationships.
This PTA School Education
Committee report submitted to
the District PTA convention in
May reported that there were
$50 incompetent" teachers in
the District.
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