Baltimore Sun: Maryland PTA put on probation because of ‘hostile’ environment and high turnover

The Maryland Parent Teacher Association has been put on probation — and is at risk of being removed from the nationwide organization — because of complaints about high turnover caused by “hostile” leadership and preventing elected members from performing their duties.

The Glen Burnie-based organization represents hundreds of local parent-teacher associations in Maryland. The statewide group fell out of compliance with the National PTA’s “Standards of Affiliation” after several PTA members reported their concerns, according to a letter obtained by The Baltimore Sun.

Probation hinders the organization’s ability to obtain PTA funding, according to National PTA President Leslie C. Boggs in her letter to Maryland PTA President Edna Harvin-Battle. Local members of the PTA, the nation’s largest child advocacy group with 4 million members, work with schools by volunteering in classes and raising money for supplies. The state PTA’s 160,000 members are at risk of losing those services and their input in setting the organization’s agenda.

The state PTA had high turnover among members “as a result of a hostile board environment, frequent special meetings, and an assumed directive of loyalty to the Maryland PTA president rather than to Maryland PTA and its members,” Boggs’ letter stated. The letter also says Maryland PTA leadership refused to provide access to resources and provided insufficient notice for meetings, preventing board members from completing their duties.

Entire article at:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/education/bs-md-maryland-pta-on-probation-20200827-hucfmkus7ng4xo5fk376fvpapa-story.html