Welcome to Public School: Understanding How It Works and Where the Harding PTA Fits In (2025–2026)
1. The Big Picture: What “Public School” Means Today
Public school in the U.S. — and in California — is a system funded by taxpayers and governed by public institutions.
It’s designed to provide a free education for all children, regardless of background, income, or ability.
Who’s Who in Public Education
Let’s start with the major players:
- State of California: Sets curriculum standards (through the California Department of Education) and funds schools.
- Local School District: Runs day-to-day operations.
- Led by a Superintendent and governed by an elected School Board.
- Makes decisions about budgets, staffing, policies, and programs.
- Individual Schools:
- Led by a Principal, who implements district policies.
- Teachers, support staff, and classified employees carry out the work of education.
- Families & Community:
- Participate through volunteer opportunities, school site councils, and organizations like the Harding PTA.
Key idea: Public schools are public institutions. Decisions about rules, staffing, and curriculum come from the state and district, not from parent organizations.
2. The PTA: Partnering for Students
What the PTA Is
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a nonprofit membership organization that connects families, teachers, and the school community to support children’s education.
PTA stands for:
- Parent: Families and caregivers advocating for their children.
- Teacher: Educators working together with families.
- Association: A democratic group that votes on how to support the school community.
Each local PTA (like ours!) is part of a larger structure:
- Local School PTA → District PTA → California State PTA → National PTA.
So, your local PTA operates within a national framework, but it’s managed by volunteers at your school.
3. What the PTA Does
Here’s what you’ll typically see a PTA doing at an elementary school in 2025–2026:
A. Builds Community
- Organizes family events (Fall Carnival, Ice-Cream social, Family Book-fair Readings, etc.)
- Hosts parent education nights or “coffee with the principal”
- Encourages family engagement and school spirit
B. Supports Learning
- Raises funds for classroom supplies, field trips, or enrichment programs
- Provides grants to teachers for classroom projects
- Sponsors assemblies, etc.
C. Advocates for Children
- Educates families about educational policies and local issues
- Encourages local participation and awareness (without endorsing candidates)
- Partners with the school to promote wellness, safety, and inclusion
D. Builds Bridges
- Acts as a communication link between families and the school administration
- Helps new families understand how the school system works
4. What the PTA Can’t Do
The PTA is not a governing body — it cannot:
- Hire or fire teachers or staff
- Decide how the school or district budget is spent
- Set or change curriculum, instruction, or discipline policies
- Direct the principal or district leadership
- Make district or legal decisions about facilities, zoning, or enrollment
Those powers rest with the school district and school board, which are accountable to the public through elections and laws.
However, the PTA can advocate — meaning it can raise concerns, provide input, and amplify the community’s voice.
5. How the PTA Works (2025–2026 Snapshot)
Today’s PTA looks a bit different from decades past:
| Then | Now |
|---|---|
| Bake sales and parties | Broader fundraising: corporate matches, digital campaigns |
| Paper newsletters | Digital communication: websites, email, social media, multilingual updates |
| Separate from equity discussions | Partners with schools to support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts |
| Local-only | Connected statewide and nationally for child advocacy |
Membership is open to anyone — parents, teachers, staff, grandparents, community members — and every member has a vote in PTA decisions.
6. How Families Can Get Involved
You can:
- Join the PTA (usually $15-20 a year)
- Attend meetings (monthly or quarterly)
- Volunteer at events or fundraisers
- Share your voice — bring ideas, express concerns respectfully
- Stay informed through newsletters and the California State PTA website
Even if you can’t volunteer time, your membership alone strengthens the PTA’s voice when advocating for children.
7. In Summary
The Harding PTA’s role:
A partner in education — not a policymaker.
A bridge between families and schools.
A supporter of programs that help students thrive.
When schools, families, and communities work together — students do better.
Key Takeaways
- Public schools are public systems with clear governance (state, district, principal).
- The PTA is a volunteer nonprofit that supports — not governs — the school.
- PTA work focuses on community, support, and advocacy.
- Anyone can join and contribute, in small or big ways.
Compiled for the Harding PTA by Jennifer Gray, PhD
Fall, 2025
Anyone in our Harding community is welcome to join our association meetings on the 1st Tuesday of September, October, December, February, April and May, unless advertised otherwise.
*Link to: HARDING PTA ASSOCIATION MEETINGS AGENDA https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q7ZMLPyd1zClwI07q1ViWvKdVwvbzTlilsBknMlz_ws/edit?tab=t.0
*Link to: HARDING PTA GENERAL MEETINGS via ZOOM https://zoom.us/j/94531861689
94531861689
How to Join the PTA
Regardless of what your exact interests are, your participation will be welcomed. All parents, guardians and community members are encouraged to join the PTA. Even if you don’t have much time to volunteer, attending meetings is an excellent way to stay on top of what’s happening at the school and to connect with other families, caretakers, teachers and the principal.
Dues are $20 per person (plus a $1 Totem service fee)—Your Membership Makes The Difference!
Create an account on Totem and…
Become a Member »
The PTA appreciates all that you do to support our children, and hopes you’ll continue to find new ways to get involved. Not only will your child benefit from your support, but your efforts also help build the Harding community for all Harding children to succeed and thrive. Children do better in school when their parents & guardians are actively involved in the school.
The Harding PTA is for everyone! We hope you will Join Us! (create an account on Totem).
For information on:
- California State PTA (CAPTA) click here.
- Bayside Council of PTAs click here.
PTA Support Positions for 2025/26 Academic Year:
Room Parent Coordinator: Jon Sung
Library Committee: Magdalena Spight
Volunteer Coordinator: Bill Wood
Programs Coordinator: Diana Pietri