School PTA spend £2k on queen Elizabeth mural

[User048261940582]

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

My DD’s school’s PTA is great at fundraising but they’ve just sent a breakdown of how they spent the money they raised in the last year. They’ve spent 1/4 of the budget, or £2,000, on a mural depicting the late Queen. I feel really angry at this. That money could have gone to so many other things that benefit the school/pupils in other ways. And no I’m not on the PTA, so yes this probably makes me hypocritical blah blah blah.

Seems awfully expensive, did someone’s relative create it ?

We had a request from dd's art department for a display case, which was £1700. We all thought it was ridiculous, but it IS actually nice to see their art on display, and although we looked, we couldn't find a cheaper option. But a mural?! which will chip and flake in 2 years. No way.

Did the children work on the mural?
If they did then I don't see an issue with that. That's just as much an educational experience as a PTA funded trip to the farm or whatever.
If the children didn't actually have anything to do with it then I don't think the PTA should have funded it.

@User048261940582 that is an absolute waste of money! I am sure something like playground equipment or something which would benefit all the pupils would have been a better purchase. even if they used it for class parties at the end of year with had no cost to pupils! hope you all band together and condemn their wasteful purchase!

This was my first thought ...

I think 2k on a mural sounds expensive but actually art is expensive and a very enriching part of education. As a teacher at one school and active PTA at another, I believe PTA funds should be used to benefit all children. However I also think it’s easy to have opinions/complain etc when you’re not part of it. We work closely with the school staff and community to look at spending and parents often have differing opinions on what the money should be spent on. Some have indeed said they won’t support future events as they were unhappy. That’s there choice, as would becoming part of the PTA committee or attending the AGM.

Art is also very subjective though and whilst I can think of many things that would benefit the children of s primary school more than a single piece of art
If it has to be art surely there should be some kind of discussion on what the kids might like I can't imagine many young kids being all thst impressed by a mural of the late Monarch.

What a complete fucking waste of money. I'd be furious.

I used to be on our school’s PTA and the process was that the Head would tell the PTA what they would like some money to be spent on and the PTA would have to agree. No idea what would happen if there was a stalemate but I’ve never heard any rumour of that happening, and they are very transparent on what funds are spent on.

I’d put money on it that someone high up in the PTA has an ‘artist’ friend and given them a job. If anyone wants to stick their neck out they really should be asking some hard questions because a mural of a past Queen is bang out of order when schools are on their knees with funding.

YANBU this seems excessive and I thought PTA money was allocated towards schools trips or equipment etc
YABU to expect someone else to say something not useful

and yes you should probably try and join the pta as it sounds like it needs some new input.

I chose YABU as that’s democracy for you - the people who’ve made the effort to be on the PTA presumably chose by a majority that this was a good thing to do.

Speak to your class rep if you’re not happy.

I can guarantee you that 90% of parents would not have attended the meeting so wouldn’t work

Yep. They'll still complain about it all though.

But that’s my point I’m sure there was a discussion. People are choosing not to be involved in the PTA and then complaining. If you want to have a say go to the meetings or attend AGM. If work/childcare makes it tricky then email chair and ask how you can be involved. Don’t just complain about what people who make the time to help are doing. For the record I would never choose to spend money in this way but I get to have my say because I attend meetings etc

I agree. If the AGM agenda is properly advertised to all parents (including an entry of Discussion of future spending priorities, or even Discussion and vote on spending £2k on a mural) then if they don't send in comments or attend they have lost their chance.

I’m really intrigued. I’m on the PTA and yes the thought of spending 2k on a mural of the late queen is pretty much just unthinkable. I’m so interested to who approved this and what the rationale behind it is.

Our school literally can’t afford to pay for hand soap for the staff toilets, their budget is that tight. It’s honestly depressing.

Fair enough I wasent having a go at you and I agree people should try and and make some kind of effort l even if it's via email
I just can't fathom why they thought a mural of the late monarch would be in anyway beneficial to the the children.

I looked it up and it was actually £5k our old school spent on some wooden carvings for the garden 🤣

@User048261940582 You NEED to say something! Otherwise next time it will be something that costs even more

I think we need to know the details to judge.

Is someone on the PTA related to a mural-maker perchance?

Wow! This is insane. I would be so annoyed to hear this, as a parent of one of their schoolchildren.

I was the chair of a PTA for a while. Our school secretary was amazing at getting grants for us, but that money had to be very specifically used. So we had a gardening one, which we asked the school council what they wanted (friendship benches & some tools for the forest school). A PE related one where they are trying to raise fund for a running track (as yet not fully raised so can't be spent) and an art one, which we used for murals, however they did amazing book themed ones in the library, in KS1 they did timelines of important parts of history and in KS2 influential people of the century. It was fab. So they may have had the money earmarked and you have to send evidence back in of what it was spent on.

For those who are unhappy, please join the PTA, I ran meetings where it was just me and one other parent in attendance. But had people complain when we used the money for a drum and instrument workshop (little Johnny preferred violins!), circus skills workshops etc. everyone had a view but no one wanted to help. I offered meetings before school, straight after school, just before school finished, in the pub, at a cafe, at my house. It didn't matter. (And I work full time too).