Memorandum from Mary Kay Murphy
Mary Kay Murphy, Ph.D. District 3  School Board Member

"PTA and 107 Years of 
Public Education Leadership"

February 16, 2004


   In Washington, D.C., on February 17, 1897, Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney brought mothers and teachers together for the benefit of students through the organization originally known as the National Congress of Mothers

   The organization expanded to include fathers and parents of all ethnic groups. By June 11, 1970, the National Congress of Mothers became the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, an organization committed to providing public education for all children with equal concern for all. 

   The Gwinnett Council PTA celebrated the 107th year of the founding of the National PTA with a countywide dinner to salute its volunteers and with its annual PTA Day at the Capitol. 

   These community-wide events remind supporters of public education in Gwinnett County of the vital role that the PTA plays in carrying out the vision of Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney. Their vision produced three vital dimensions of the organization's support of public education. 

   First, the PTA brings together parents and teachers on behalf of children. Second, the PTA develops community support for public education for each child. Third, the PTA links together communities throughout the nation to expand the vision of a free and appropriate public education for each of the nation's children.

   In Gwinnett County, the PTA provides three significant components of service of benefit to public education.

   Leadership Development is one of the Gwinnett PTA's most significant contributions to public education. The PTA provides a platform for the leaders at local schools to forge alliances, develop programs, influence decision makers, and advocate for children. 

   Through its Leadership Development initiatives, the Gwinnett PTA provided leaders at local school levels who assumed responsibility for opening eight new schools in the 2002-03 academic year and will answer the call again in the 2003-04 academic year when Gwinnett County Public Schools will open ten additional new schools. 

   By assuming this leadership responsibility, the Gwinnett PTA forges alliances among community leaders and public educators, organizes and charters local PTA Councils, establishes community networks and advocates for public education, and links new schools to a network of established public education leaders and community advocates.

   Another significant role for Gwinnett County's PTA is in securing funding for public education. One of the most effective roles the Gwinnett PTA has carried out during the past eight years is its advocacy for passage of the 1997 and the 2002 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. 

   Largely through the efforts of the Gwinnett PTA, voters approved dedication of $540 million for public education capital projects between 1997 and 2002. Again in 2002, Gwinnett PTA members advocated for $978 million in school improvements through 2007 to benefit students in Gwinnett County's burgeoning school buildings and campuses.

   A third distinctive contribution of the Gwinnett PTA is establishing its legislative network for the benefit of public education in the county's schools. Through advocacy networks with State Legislators and U.S. elected officials, Gwinnett PTA members provide specific and comprehensive benefit to public education in our communities. 

   Each year in February, the Gwinnett PTA participates in Georgia PTA Day at the State Capitol. PTA members meet and discuss vital education issues being considered by the State's lawmakers. Through study and deliberation, Gwinnett PTA members make a difference in sharing their views with State House and Senate members, especially those concerns related to child advocacy and public education.

   Co-Presidents Jane Studer and Gayle Malkiel have provided outstanding leadership to the Gwinnett County Council of PTAs in 2003-04. Assisting them are Co-Presidents at local schools throughout the County. 

   As District III School Board member and Chairman of the 2004 Board of Education, I would like to personally express appreciation to the following PTA Co-Presidents of local schools in District III. 

   These leaders include the following: Berkeley Lake Elementary, Kim Arakawa and Ellen McNally; Chattahoochee Elementary, and Mandy Podo and Jonnie Taylor; Duluth High, Kathy McDonough; Duluth Middle, Tommy Blackwell and Marie Blackwell; B.B. Harris Elementary, Valeria McClendon and Christie Ford; Hull Middle, Susan Anderson; Dr. M.H. Mason, Jr. Elementary, Jane Denton; and Norcross Elementary, Lori Tucker. 

   Also included are Norcross High, Debbie Mason and Pat Winklebauer; Peachtree Elementary, Tracy Peretz and Lee Ann Early; Pinckneyville Middle, Donna Scullin and Susan Edson; Simpson Elementary, Mimi Stamper and Jennifer Collins; Susan Stripling Elementary, Chiquita Banks and Debbie McGinnis; and Summerour Middle, Becky Hart and Lori Tucker. 

   We have come a long way since the days when Phoebe Apperson Hearst and Alice McLellan Birney sought a way to bring mothers together as advocates for public education for all children. We are deeply indebted to these pioneers and their followers for recognizing the importance of public education to our community-and to all our community's children. 

   Thank you, Gwinnett PTA, for all you do on behalf of public education and for our county's 130,000 public school students.


021604

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