Well
it's almost over...all except for the shouting.
The
budget that is. The County Executive has set the funding level, the
Board of Education has reevaluated and restructured, and yes, cut,
their portion, and now the County Council is reviewing all of the
county department budgets for final approval. The Council will hold
work sessions with each department, then 2 public hearings (see page
2) and finalize the process. There is still an opportunity for education
to receive additional funds and that is during this portion of the
budget process. The Council has the authority to add funds only
to the education portion of the county budget, but this must be at
the expense of other departments, something no citizen of this county
desires.
The
arguments have been made and will continue to be made that funding
for the Harford County schools, libraries, sheriff's department, community
college and other departments is not adequate. We, on the education
side, are perhaps the most vocal but by no means are we the only ones
saying that more needs to be done. I don't know what that "more" is
nor does HCCPTA propose one method of increasing that funding level
over another. We just know there is quite obviously not enough to
go around.
In
the last issue of this newsletter, I predicted that after the funding
levels were announced and cuts proposed, some in this county would
be downright angry over what was proposed. I was right. And now, we
will send letters to the editor and argue about whose "fault" this
is, and why we should have to cut this and not that, and on and on.
Reacting, not being proactive. Well, HCCPTA wants to be proactive.
And so, within the next few days, we will issue an invitation to all
of the "players"...the County Executive, County Council members, Board
of Education, Superintendent and her staff, and any other department
heads who would be willing to meet, as well as the public, to try
to come to some common understanding and start to plan for our future.
I
am not naive enough to think we will arrive at all, or any, of the
solutions in one or two such meetings. But we can establish a dialogue,
educate more citizens in the budget process and begin to work together
for a common goal...a better life for all residents of this beautiful
county.
With
many years of watching, participating and closely following this budget
process behind me, I've come to realize one ambiguous fact...Harford
County demands educational excellence but funds mediocrity.
I mean this with no disrespect or offense to anyone but offer this
simply as the observation of one active, involved citizen. We want
the best teachers, the most up-to-date technology, adequate supplies,
programs that enhance the classroom experiences, and all of the wonders
of today's world for our children. We want modern equipment and technology
and expert staffing in all areas of our lives as well. Yet we spout
percentages, argue about who gets more "of the pie" and expect high
results for a minimal investment. And the various departments of the
County fight each other for a piece of that pie year after year. I
suppose we can continue in this manner and hope for the best, but
reality and common sense tells me that all too soon we will all start
to lose out. In many ways, Harford County has changed tremendously
in the past few years and in other ways we have stayed the same. Traditions
and histories are wonderful things to save and protect, but not at
the expense of our children. HCCPTA will be proud to provide a forum
for the discussion that is crucial to our future. We hope the "players"
will accept the challenge and come together to work together for Harford
County's Future.
Pat
Benedict, HCCPTA President
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Elections
Results Announcement!
The
tally of ballots from the April 21, 1999 Election has been completed.
As a result, the following officers have been re-elected to their
respective positions:
2nd
Vice President: Sally LaBarre
V.P.
of Committees: Lisa Breece
Correspondence
Secretary: Cathi Peters
Also
presented on the ballot on April 21 was a motion to increase HCCPTA
membership dues beginning with the school year 1999-2000 from $.25
per member to $.50 per member (rationale: to meet the increasing council
cost for local leadership training, materials, and postage).The vote
on the motion carried.
A
vacancy has occurred in the office of V.P. for Governmental Relations.
Anyone interested in filling the vacancy for the remaining term may
contact Linda Drysdale for a job description and term information.
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See
home page navigation bars for hyperlinks to separate archive pages
of Membership Corner with Frani
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Attention
all incoming and outgoing President, Treasurers, and Membership
chair persons:
Soon
you will all be in the process of evaluating your year and looking
towards constructing next school year's budget. You will also begin
looking towards your membership programs and activities. As you
begin these important duties, take into consideration that beginning
with the 1999-2000 school year, HCCPTA dues have increased from
$.25 per member to $.50 per member.
This
information should be considered as you meet as an executive board
to plan for next year and to ensure that your local membership dues
cover the National $1.00 per member, the State increase this year
to $1.00 per member, and the council dues of $.50 per member. (Total
$2.50).
If
your unit is contemplating increasing your membership dues to accommodate
these increases, also keep in mind that the state dues are scheduled
for step-up increases again in the year 2000-2001 to $1.25, and
in 2001-2002 to $1.50. It would be of great benefit for your unit
to consider these increases now and set your local dues accordingly.
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Harford
County Winners at State Level
On
April 22, 1999 HCCPTA held its Annual Reflections Awards Ceremony
recognizing those students who participated in this year's National
Reflections Program theme "Suddenly you turn around and...".
From
the 59 entries forwarded, 23 entries placed successfully in various
levels in the State judging. HCCPTA is proud to announce that
Harford County will be represented at the National PTA level judging
by 3 Outstanding Interpretation winners. In addition, those works
placing in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be held at the State PTA
office for display around the State and at various functions including
the Maryland PTA Summer Conference. Congratulations to one
and all!
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Oh no, you say, not another message from our 1st Vice President.
The last editorial written by her almost incited rioting within
the ranks of the local PTAs. It is most unfortunate, but somehow
true, that over this past year, the position of 1st Vice President
of HCCPTA has taken on the persona of the reprimanding mother. While
the President nurtures and encourages, informs, and educates, and
Vice Presidents of other areas provide the locals with a wealth
of informative information, it has fallen to the 1st Vice President,
namely me, to be the "voice of organizational conscience,"
so to speak.
I've
notified, mailed, and reminded local units of delinquent bylaws.
I've written articles reminding locals of the importance of bylaw
reviews, procedure books, record keeping, and the potential loss
of charters because of non-compliance. I've even gone so far as
to reprimand and express my concern regarding the lack of attendance
at HCCPTA meetings. I can't say that I've enjoyed writing some of
this over the past year, but I can say, most definitely, that at
times, it has been not only worth it, but required reading.
By
reminding often and encouraging strongly, many of our local units
are well on their way to reviewing their bylaws. Those who have
taken advantage of the bylaws workshop and the instructional materials
sent out with their reminders, are finding an even easier time with
the process than they had anticipated. But, the news is not all
good! There remain several local units who have not heeded the call
to "review, review, review." To those units I have but two things
to say: 1) I am here to help you through the review process, it
ain't that bad; and 2) you really are in jeopardy of loosing your
PTA charter. That said, I will move on....on to HCCPTA meeting attendance.
We
have brainstormed, and banged our heads. We know that information
provided at council meetings is of great importance and use to our
local units. We also know, that for some local Presidents, there
is JUST NO room for one more meeting on your calendar, what with
fundraising, events, children, family, and life in general. So here's
our plan for next year!
While
you are conducting your nomination searches and elections, we want
you to consider filling one more position, that of Delegate to the
HCCPTA. This year, HCCPTA will kick off our House
of Delegates. The HCCPTA House
of Delegates to be exact. Each local unit is being strongly
encouraged to follow the guidelines outlined in your bylaws and
find one dedicated soul to fill the position of Delegate
to the council. This person must be willing to dedicate one evening
a month to attending the HCCPTA General Council Meetings and report
back to their local unit the information gathered at the meeting.
Simply
put, with one person charged with the single duty of attendance
at HCCPTA meetings, your local will have the opportunity to benefit
from the programs and events being offered. Your Delegate
will also be able to keep the President, the Board, and your membership
up to date on issues that directly affect your local, your parents,
and the children you serve.
Representation
of your local in the House of Delegates
will in no way dilute the responsibility of your President and Principal
to attend council meetings as provided for in your bylaws...but
when either or both of them are not available, your PTA will be
guaranteed representation by your Delegate.
HCCPTA
will continue to focus on the President as our initial contact and
the leader of your local unit, however, we will also direct information,
agendas, and meeting calendars to your Delegate
as well.
Our
goal....100% participation in the HCCPTA House of Delegates, 100%
local representation and attendance at council meetings.
Only
you and your Board can help HCCPTA attain this goal. Begin your
search now for your representative to the HCCPTA
House of Delegates!
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