Ok folks...here goes...

I am VP of the Primary School PTA, and co-founder and Director of a new group in my county designed to bring representatives of our divided county to the table in discussions about ways to boost our struggling rural school system and economy.

Participation and interest are coming from the same core group of folks already spread thin with other school/family/professional obligations ... and virtually no father/male participation (except politicians). Single and Working families have a hard time showing up...regardless of the time and day of week meetings are held. Then there is just a general reluctance by some to get involved because "we'll never change anything...it's always been this way, and that's how it will stay."

We (county group) did the "survey thing"...out of nearly four hundred surveys handed out to parents, only five came back.

BUT I WON'T GIVE UP!!

The PTA thought we were thinking outside the box for a long time, until we realized we were pretty much mainstream...and still struggling.

HELP!!! Thoughts, ideas, suggestions...

Both groups are running into the same walls over and over and now I feel like I am banging my head against them.

Folks continue to complain about our schools and the lack of resources (matter of perception, on both counts) but no one wants to "step up to the plate" until something controversial comes up (like consolidating schools).

I have found a wealth of resources on small schools, rural schools, reform methods, etc...and all have been monumentally helpful in educating me beyond my intelligence but what I need to hear most is personal experience.

Thoughts???!!!