Poll: What got cut?

In last week's poll, we asked if you would be attending the first PA/PTA meeting of the school year. Most parents -- 66% -- voted yes.

Several respondents said that back-to-school night segued into the inaugural meeting. A Queens parent said that the first PA meeting is "crucial to attend" for information about changes for the upcoming year. Another parent disagreed, calling the PTA "useless," and added, "They didn't even serve coffee."

Twenty-two percent of parents said they would not go to the meeting. Two parents voiced their frustration that the PA at their schools "is led by a clique of parents with their own agenda."

Eight percent of parents received no notice of a meeting and 2% have no parent organization at their school.  Chancellor's Regulation A-660 mandates that all schools have either a PA or PTA, and that the association send out notification to families about meetings in a timely fashion.<!--more-->

According to the regulation, it is the responsibility of the school principal to re-activate, or establish, a PA or PTA. Parents whose schools  have no PA, should get in touch with the school principal, or the parent coordinator. And, if they are unresponsive, contact your district family advocate for assistance.

The Daily News reports that class sizes are soaring at schools across the city. Due to the 5% budget cuts, at some schools class sizes have increased; at others student supports have been lost and programs have been cut. This week's we want to know how your school was affected by this year's slimmer budgets. Vote now, and leave a comment to let us know how your school is coping!