Parents, PTAs warn proposed Policy 6-10 changes would curb in-school fundraising and speakers

Dozens of parents, PTA leaders and volunteer officers spoke at the Virginia Beach School Board’s June 9 meeting to oppose proposed language changes to Policy 6-10 that would bar guest speakers and fundraiser activities during the school day.

The speakers said the change would sharply reduce parent-led fundraising that supports field trips, classroom supplies and student programs — and would especially harm lower-resource (Title I) schools where daytime events are the only reliable way for many families to participate.

Susan Berman, identified as a PTA president of one of the division’s largest elementary schools, told the board the proposed language “would prohibit guest speakers during the school day and explicitly prohibits fundraising during the school day as well.” Berman said fun runs and other events conducted during PE periods generate “tens of thousands of dollars” that PTAs reallocate by parent vote to items such as…