PTF Board Meeting Observations

PTF Monthly Board Meeting

I attended a PTF monthly board meeting that included parents and active school board members, as well as certain staff. Specifically there were lower school, middle school, and high school principals present; Director of Finances and Development, Administrative assistants, PTF president, and PTF parent members.  During this meeting, the Principals started by each giving a detailed report of what is happening in their respective schools over the last month. It was interesting the difference between the updates for elementary school vs. the middle and high school updates. The high school discussed items such as the success of the school’s recent blood drive, AP final exams schedules, and prom updates. Middle discussed changes to the 7^th and 8^th grade curriculum for the following school year, as well as the implantation of a new technology initiative. Whereas the updates for the elementary school focused on the upcoming elementary wide event- Young Authors Day, the details and scheduling of field day, and our annual spring program details and theme.  Finances were discussed for the closing school year as well as further updates to the budget that was determined for the following year. Principals also reported on which teachers were leaving their respective schools, and if they had any new hires for the 2016-2017 school year.  The dynamic was interesting as both parents and faculty members were in the same meeting. It seemed that there were not as many parents attending that should be considering it was a PTF meeting and such meetings are historically parent-driven. The interactions were pleasant and simple yet very direct. I found that most faculty communicated with faculty and similarly did the parents communicate with only parents. From the outsider standpoint, I have the view and opinion that PTF meetings are extremely important when done effectively. It is my belief that schools thrive when parents and the school can be involved with one another for the betterment of the school.