Find Out How Much Money NYC Parent Teacher Associations Raise For School Students - Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA Fundraising Was $236,000 In 2018-19 School Year

Find out how much your school's PTA raises (or doesn't) https://t.co/6OkQ2wcg4B

— Chalkbeat New York (@ChalkbeatNY) December 3, 2019

The excellent NYC education web site Chalkbeat reported December 2:

A tiny portion of New York City parent-teacher associations reported raising more than $1,000 per student — amounting, in some cases, to more than $1 million — while hundreds of other such school groups said they raised no money at all.

The data, released for the first time Monday, lays bare the funding disparities between schools in wealthy neighborhoods and those in higher poverty ZIP codes. It does not include data for charter schools, alternative schools, and pre-K centers because these schools are not required to have parent associations, an education department spokesperson said....

NY 1 adds:

... New York City’s Education Department has for the first time compiled and released data on the financial standing of PTAs around the city. City Councilman Mark Treyger, a former teacher who wrote the legislation requiring the report, says it's confirmed his fears about inequity in the city's public schools.

"How many times have we heard the DOE and the chancellor and the mayor talk about, your zip code should not determine the opportunities your families receive,” Treyger said. “Well, look at the data."

According to the report, 46 PTAs raised more than $500 thousand in the most recent school year. Of those 46 PTAs, 24 raised at least a million dollars.”...

Here's how Roosevelt Island's PS/IS 217 school PTA compares to citywide averages. (Credit: Samuel Park/Chalkbeat for Chartbeat)

I asked Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA President Irena Durkovic if the Chalkbeat fundraising amount of $236,000 was accurate. Ms Durkovic replied:

The amount reported is accurate, and it’s taken from our annual report that covers period from July 2018 through June 2019.

Ms Durkovic shares this statement from the whole 217 PTA executive board:

The PTA is grateful to the PS/IS 217 and Roosevelt Island communities for their support, which allows us to provide benefits for all students in our elementary and middle school here on Roosevelt Island.

For instance, we sponsor literacy and enrichment programs such as arts, physical education, and music; professional development and curriculum assistance to teachers; and community events for the school and its neighbors on Roosevelt Island.

We thank the many PS/IS 217 parents who donate to our annual fund and tirelessly volunteer their time, as well as RIOC and the broader Roosevelt Island community, who support the PTA through grants, the Roosevelt Island Farmer's Market, and in many other ways."

Here's Ms Durkovic describing Roosevelt Island PS/IS 217 PTA programs to the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Purpose Funds committee during May 28,2019 meeting.



The PTA received 13,000 in Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Purpose Funds.

More info on NYC PTA fundraising from Chalkbeat article. 

UPDATE 8:30 PM:

Good content-unfortunate that many of the extras come down to PTA’s ability to fund. With changing demographic I think the number can get higher at 217. A big part of issue for fundraising here is that large international population doesn’t understand why it should be necessary.

— Minnehanonck (@minnehanonck) December 12, 2019