PPS of Brookhaven, Mississippi

While PTAs exist on each of the five campuses in this district, PPS of Brookhaven saw the need for comprehensive recruiting of parents to enroll their children in the public schools.  In response, PPS chose to coordinate with local private kindergarten programs to communicate to these parents the value of public education in Brookhaven and to invite them to open houses in their neighborhood public school.  These open houses are hosted during the school day to provide parents the opportunity to see the school "in action."  PPS parents and the local superintendent attend all open houses to share experiences and answer questions.

Also on the district level, the chapter regularly honors valued district employees to acknowledge the good work they do.  This focus on the esprit de corps in the district has been valuable in connecting parents to the teachers, administrators, and others.

Five years ago, a bond referendum failed due in part to proposed plans to shuffle grades and programs between campuses.  The chapter worked to get parents included in discussions pertaining to the school restructuring.  When the restructuring did happen, the process was orderly and accepted by the community as the best use of facilities.

In the fall of 1999, a second bond election was scheduled.   PPS took responsibility for raising money to promote this bond referendum and was instrumental in its passing by nearly 70%.