Anchorage PTA extends support to first-time officers, opposes property tax cap

By Carol Bushnell
Special to the Daily News

The Anchorage Council of Parent Teacher Associations acts as a resource for all Anchorage area chapters. The Council provides training and information in all areas of concern as well as representing PTAs on many school district committees.

We hold monthly meetings for all PTA unit members at which programs are presented that are of interest to Anchorage parents, teachers and administrators. One of our most popular is the School Board Candidates Forum held every April. Other past programs have included disaster planning and school safety, annual school report cards and parent involvement ideas.

In addition to our Leadership Workshop, which is presented in September, Anchorage Council is also presenting a new workshop in August for first time PTA officers. This new program should be very helpful to the individual who is serving on a local unit board for the first time.

This council has been known as an active advocate for a strong public education system in Anchorage and this year will be no exception. We have recently made significant progress toward lowering class sizes, increasing the availability and instruction of computer technology in local classrooms and a putting a standards-based educational system into place.

Ironically, after gaining so much ground, we face giant steps backward if the proposed 10 mill tax cap should pass.

The Anchorage council joined the Alaska State PTA in overwhelmingly approving a resolution in opposition to property tax caps at our Alaska State PTA Convention this last April. I strongly encourage all of our local PTA units to do everything possible to educate your members as to the devastating effects this could have on their children.

The Council goals for this year are not yet finalized, but there are areas of concern that will likely become priorities. Ensuring any budget cuts have a minimum impact on the classroom, making sure that curriculum continues to meet or exceed state standards, and working to ensure the safety of every school and community are just a few of the concerns.

We will be working closely with the Anchorage School District and the School Board this year on these and other issues.

As the Anchorage Council president, I would like to invite parents to join their school’s PTA. PTA offers an abundance of enrichment opportunities for children including Reflections (PTA fine arts competition), science fairs, book fairs, reading programs and after-school recreational opportunities.

Most importantly, PTA offers a way for parents from every social and economic level to have a collective voice in how their children are educated.

Become an advocate for your child’s future by joining your school PTA.

©2000 Anchorage Daily News