PTAs and the Tax Gap
I write to express my personal concern about an increasingly prevalent phenomenon in Knox County's suburban schools, namely a growing tendency for the PTA chapters in those schools to "fill the gap" created by state budget shortfalls. This tendency masks the problem of inadequate funding for kindergarten through 12th grade education and postpones the time government will address much needed tax reform to benefit education.
Well-financed PTAs in Knox County's outlying schools are abandoning their mission statement to advocate for children in favor of conducting massive and tremendously successful fundraising efforts. In those suburban communities where parents enjoy greater amounts of leisure time and parent participation in schools is strong, PTA boards include scores of moms, upward of 40 in some schools. Their organizations' checkbook balances burgeon with tens of thousands of dollars, and they are stepping in too quickly to cover expenses that are rightfully the responsibility of government.
Their focus on "filling-the-gap" is leading many suburban PTA chapters to contribute tens of thousands of dollars annually to each of their sponsoring schools. They are assuming responsibility for making capital improvements to facilities (especially for creating many elementary school playgrounds costing $50,000 or more), buying computers and textbooks, and in two suburban schools, paying part-time teacher salaries. In this manner, they are becoming a fundraising arm for state government and are hiding state government's failure to adequately fund K-12 education.
Aside from postponing needed reforms to our state tax system, another unavoidable consequence of these suburban PTA activities is becoming apparent. An even greater disparity between Knox County's "rich" schools and its "poor" ones is arising. In many inner city schools, parent participation is much weaker due to demographic circumstances and the PTA chapters in those schools are quite anemic. Furthermore, nearly half of Knox County's schools possess no PTA chapter at all. The needs of these many other schools are not receiving attention.
Ironically, the task of leading PTA in a campaign for state tax reform would seem to fall on these same suburban PTA chapters that are circumventing the need to do so. Their larger boards and larger checkbook balances place them in a stronger position to be of effect. It is my personal desire that they will accept their charge soon, and that Knox County PTA will speak to this pressing matter, united.
Tamara Gladden Shepherd
Knoxville
In Memory
On Thursday, Jan. 24, Catherine "Cat" Cleveland's drowned body was found at Cedars of Lebanon State Park. The causes of Cat's death remain unclear, although "foul play," as the Wilson County Sheriff puts it, has been ruled out.
In addition to her day job in the marketing department of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, 31-year-old Cat, or CA as she was credited in our pages, had just started doing freelance work for us, mostly in the "Eye on the Scene" column. Her work was full of energy and enthusiasm—and in Cat the local music scene had a great, vocal proponent.
We were just starting to get to know her when her untimely death occurred. Rather than build an obituary from our scant personal knowledge or from the dry facts that can't begin to sum up a life, we turned to Knox~Belle, another vocal advocate of Knoxville nightlife, who knew Cat well.
Catherine "Cat" Cleveland was a friend of mine, she writes. She passed away last week, but she is still with me and all who loved her through her poetry, her laughter, and all of the ways she touched so many of us. I can't remember a time where I ever saw her unable to smile. The last time I saw her was at Blue Cats the weekend before last. We stood in front of the stage yelling, giggling, and dancing in the direction of the bands that were playing. She and I shared some brief conversation, due to the noise, and then the evening was over. Cat was the type of friend who was always around, ready to share a good story or a silly joke. The world has lost a beautiful person.
As I try to convey what I feel in these words, the song Stray Cat Strut is mysteriously playing on the radio. I realize the lyrics are a good way to describe an intelligent and wonderful lady I miss and am shedding many tears for: Cat Cleveland had "cat class and she had cat style." Rest well, Cat, and may your journey be peaceful.
Our condolences to all her family and friends.
—The Editors
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