In this eye-opening episode, I speak with Tom Hayden, an adjunct professor at Northwestern University School of Journalism, about the controversial PTA Equity Project (PEP) in Evanston, Illinois. 

We dive deep into how this well-intentioned initiative pooled $650,000 from wealthy school PTAs to redistribute resources across the district, but is now burning through $50,000 annually without sustainable fundraising. 

Tom reveals the unexpected consequences: conflicts of interest with board members, disincentivized fundraisers, and "black market PTAs." 

Discover what really happens when equity initiatives meet complex community dynamics and learn valuable lessons about effective educational funding that balances equity with sustainability. 

A must-watch for caregivers, educators, and anyone concerned about educational equity and school funding disparities.

Episode Mentions:

• PTA Equity Project
• Evanston/Skokie - School District 65
• Evanston Community Foundation (ECF)

Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to the PTA Equity Project 
02:00 - Evanston's Educational Landscape & Context 
05:30 - How the PEP Fund Was Created During COVID 
10:15 - The Pooled Funding Model: $650,000 Collected 
14:00 - Galas, Fundraising, and Class Divisions 
17:30 - The "Black Market PTAs" Problem 
20:00 - School Board Conflicts of Interest 
23:45 - Capital Improvements: Who Should Pay? 
27:15 - Black Student Achievement & Political Solutions 
31:00 - Finding Balance in Polarized Conversations 
34:20 - Universities' Responsibility in Education Funding 
38:00 - Conclusion: Community-Wide Solutions

#EducationalEquity #SchoolFunding #PTAEquityProject #EducationReform #SchoolBoardPolitics #AchievementGap #EducationalJustice #CommunityCollaboration #EvanstonSchools #RacialEquity #EducationPolicy #SchoolResources #FundraisingEthics #ParentInvolvement #EducationalDisparity

✨Tune in every Monday for the best research-backed coaching and teaching strategies you can apply right away to better the lives of the children in your care. 

⭐....& stay tuned for my bonus episode every Friday, where I'll share how I applied what I learned from the guests in schools that week. 

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