The Northshore YMCA is coming to Stillwater!

HAVE YOU HEARD THE GREAT NEWS? The Northshore YMCA is coming to Stillwater! The PTSA Board of Directors voted on October 10th to terminate PTSA’s enrichment program, opening the door for the Y to provide after school programs for Stillwater students. But “WHY” you ask? As PTSA members, you are entitled to an explanation. I want to assure you that the PTSA Board gave its decision a lot of thought and discussion.

For many years Stillwater PTSA has worked with independent contractors to bring after school classes to our students. We have primarily used local providers, including local organizations and many talented Stillwater parents and community members. Although PTSA Board members had good intentions over the years, PTSA has not always been in compliance with our insurance company, nor National and Washington State PTA, requirements relative to contracting for after school classes. Those requirements are, at a minimum, only contracting with individuals or companies that have a valid business license for what they will teach, have liability insurance that covers themselves and names SW PTSA as an insured, and having two SW PTSA member volunteers monitoring each class for the entire period of the class. Being a small community, we like to believe that we are all friends and would have no reason to make claims against or sue each other. But I heard recently from Washington State PTA that there have been some lawsuits brought against PTA local units because of issues that happened during PTA-sponsored after school classes. This news concerns us because, as officers and members of the PTSA Board of Directors, we have a duty to protect the assets of our PTSA. Our insurance may be invalidated if we are knowingly doing something that puts our PTSA at risk.

Last spring Mr. Madigan became concerned about some negative things he heard about one or more teachers an independent contractor sent to SW. He approached PTSA about these concerns and the lack of monitoring by PTSA of the classes it was offering. He suggested that PTSA consider bringing in the Northshore YMCA to provide all after school programs. At the time, we put that suggestion on our back burner.

Wendy Bradley (2012-13 PTSA President) and I met over the summer and discussed the high risk of liability enrichment programs bring to our PTSA, if we are not in compliance with insurance and PTA requirements. As the 2013-14 Board of Directors started planning for the year, compliance with requirements was of utmost importance as our Enrichment Chair, Amy Pitt, went forward with talking with potential contractors. It became clear that PTSA would not be able to continue to work with some or our independent contractors because they do not possess, and are not willing to obtain, business licenses and/or insurance. Some said that the cost of obtaining liability insurance would prevent them from being able to continue to offer classes at a low cost. PTSA has also had much difficulty getting PTSA members to volunteer to monitor after school classes. In past years, PTSA offered free tuition for students whose parent volunteers for this duty, but even that incentive did not give us the necessary volunteers.

Mr. Madigan told us that, now that he is aware of the requirements, he will not permit independent contractors to provide classes at Stillwater if they do not have a business license or insurance. It became clear that PTSA would not be able to offer much in the way of after school classes at the same low cost if we comply with all requirements. Mr. Madigan and I met with Corey Lowell, the valley representative for the Northshore Y, to discuss what the Y can offer at Stillwater and whether or not SW PTSA fits into that plan. The PTSA officers, along with Past President, Wendy Bradley, and Enrichment Chair, Amy Pitt, met and discussed the various options at length. Corey then made a presentation to the PTSA Board members and answered all our questions. The Board members then discussed the proposal and weighed the pros, cons and other options. In the end, all the Board members believe that, under the circumstances, it is in the best interest of PTSA to terminate its after school Enrichment program to protect our PTSA.

However, PTSA is not contracting with the YMCA to provide after school programs. The Board only voted to terminate our own PTSA after school programs. The choice of the Y as the organization to provide after school programs for SW is Mr. Madigan’s decision. Because PTSA is concerned with the well-being of Stillwater students, we were part of the discussions with the Y. After listening to Corey Lowell’s proposal and being assured that the Y’s intention is to bring in Y staff AND work with local businesses and organizations, PTSA supports Mr. Madigan’s decision. Corey lives out here in the valley, his children attend Cherry Valley Elementary, and he understands the importance of trying to use local talent before bringing in contractors from surrounding areas. As a young father, he understands the importance of offering quality, low-cost programs for our kids. PTSA agreed to provide the Y with contact information for the people we have used for after school classes over the past few years, help with a survey the Y will be sending to parents, and help advertise classes the Y will offer. Other than that, PTSA is not associated with the Y.

We hope that you will help the Y get started by completing the survey it sends out. Corey is really excited about starting a Y program at SW and wants to offer classes YOU want for your kids. He is open to suggestions and would like to know about people who would like to offer classes or clubs. The Y is a national non-profit organization with local branches. It has the ability to offer many more programs than PTSA was able to provide. Look for the survey and more information in the coming weeks.