2003 National PTA Convention Highlights

Charlotte, North Carolina, the “Queen City,” played host to the 107th National PTA Convention. Nancy Huckaba, Kim Pflaum, Rae Ann Kobylinski and Terry Wintering represented the Shawnee Mission area. Several other members of the Kansas PTA also attended. A picturesque city and great weather helped make the convention an enjoyable time.

The National PTA responded to the concerns of its members and shortened the length of the convention to three days. Informative pre-convention seminars were held a day earlier. The convention featured many workshops and great speakers at the general meetings. Linda Hodge was installed as the new NPTA president. Anna Weselak was elected to serve as president-elect.

One of the resounding themes of the convention was the national concern about school funding and the future of public education. The NPTA’s lobbyists presented a dynamic workshop on the platforms of the PTA. They urge every member and unit to let their representatives on the “Hill” know how their constituents feel. National PTA speaks with one voice for all children and needs every member’s support. It will help your child and children you will never meet. National PTA and other child advocacy groups are launching the “Five Cents Make Sense for Education” campaign. Currently, only 2.8 cents of each federal tax dollar is spent on K through 16 education. If that amount were raised to 5 cents, it would be possible to fund the promised 40% of IDEA and the supports being mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. For more information about this campaign, visit the website www.pta.org/ptawashington/5cent.asp.