Letter from PTAC regarding proposed switch to PTO:

Dear East Grand Rapids parents and teachers,    

At the beginning of the school year a committee was formed to discuss membership   dues to the Michigan PTA and membership form revisions.  The Membership   Committee included the PTAC membership chair and representatives from each   school (the unit PTA presidents, treasurers, and membership chairs).  After   careful consideration, the Committee recommends that all five East Grand Rapids   schools switch from a PTA (overseen by the statewide organization) to a PTO   ("Parent Teacher Organization," independent and administered by our own parent   group).  This would allow us to keep more money in our district.  As a PTA, we   send $5.50 per membership (parents and teachers) to the Michigan PTA.  That   equates to between $900-$1,100 per year for each school (approximately $5,000   total from our district).  In the past few years we have realized very little   benefit from being a member of the Michigan PTA.  It is the committee's opinion   that the families of EGR would be better served if this money were to remain   within the district.  This recommendation is supported by the East   Grand Rapids Teachers' Association and Dr. Shubel.    

We are hoping to make this seamless district-wide transition to a PTO within the   next few months.   The PTO will conduct business exactly as the PTA does now but   will keep all of the membership money in our district.  The day-to-day   operations of the PTO will remain the same as the PTA.  Please refer to your   schools newsletter and PTA updates for specific information regarding your   school's PTA meetings and proceedings.  Questions regarding this transition can   be directed to your PTA president or members of the PTA Council.    

Sincerely,  Emily Keller, EGR PTA Council President and Jenny McMahon, EGR PTA Council Vice President