During the 2023–24 school year, there was almost a running joke in my house. Laundry day would roll around, and I’d pull pants and socks belonging to my then-second grader at Walnut Grove Elementary out of the laundry basket, hems inevitably embedded with those painful little sticker burrs that seem to find skin no matter how carefully you avoid them.
“Recess, huh?” I’d say, half-laughing, half-wincing as I painstakingly pulled out each one.
It was a weekly reminder of just how heavily the school’s outdoor spaces were being used – and a source of a familiar refrain in class text chains. Parents joked about the burrs, but beneath the humor was a shared wish: a sticker-free space where kids could play sports, practice cartwheels or even sit together to watch a solar eclipse without the need for industrial-strength blankets.
That year, the Walnut Grove PTO decided it was time for action. With a clear goal in mind, they set out to raise enough money to fund a turf field, one that would replace the weather-worn grass with a safer, more durable space for kids to play, learn and reset between classes.
By the start of the following year, that goal had already become reality. In the spring of 2024, the PTO organized a casino-themed fundraiser that raised a jaw-dropping $120,000. The haul was enough to fully fund a new turf field through an in-kind donation. Today, students take full advantage of the field daily, free of the fear of falling into a pile of stickers.
In Carroll ISD, excellence isn’t accidental. It’s increasingly powered by PTOs (Parent-Teacher Organizations) who show up when they can, in the ways they can, long after the bell rings. These groups are setting and crushing goals that the average PTO would ever even consider.
Behind the Green Curtain
On a bright autumn morning, I sat down with PTO presidents from every school across the district for a roundtable conversation about a part of school life most families encounter often but rarely see in full.
These nine women are representative of the PTOs across the district who, yes, organize fall festivals, fun galas and daddy-daughter dances, but who also approve six-figure budgets, negotiate vendor contracts and fund curriculum supplements that quietly help schools operate at the level Southlake families have come to expect.
Step back, and the full picture comes into focus: PTOs in Carroll ISD function like nonprofit organizations and small businesses rolled into one.
“I didn’t plan to be president,” said Erin Ingram, PTO president at Walnut Grove Elementary and a former teacher. “But once you understand what teachers are dealing with and how much support they really need, it’s hard to step back.”
Many PTO presidents bring backgrounds in education, corporate leadership or nonprofit work. Others relocated to Southlake from districts where parental involvement was minimal and were surprised by both the opportunities and the responsibilities they found.
For Alli Wilson, PTO president at Durham Intermediate and a former Carroll ISD teacher, stepping into leadership felt like a natural extension of her classroom experience. “I understand what it’s like to be a teacher here,” she said. “The expectations are high, and PTOs play a crucial role in making that workload sustainable.”
Campus leaders see that commitment translate directly into better outcomes. At Walnut Grove, Principal Meredith Davis says PTO involvement shapes both instruction and culture.
“Our teachers and students benefit enormously from our PTO,” Davis said. “They support our campus and our educators in important and unique ways, from upgrading classroom experiences to consistently letting teachers know how appreciated they are.”
Several presidents described seeing a need and choosing to fill it, driven not by obligation but by a genuine desire to make a difference.
“I used to have a paying job,” said Christine Kane, PTO president at Rockenbaugh Elementary. “This fills the same part of me. You’re doing big things that actually last.”
The role is demanding. PTO leadership requires constant communication, decision-making and problem-solving, with no compensation beyond the satisfaction of seeing the impact.
“My kids ask why I’m always on my phone,” Noreen Kane, PTO president at both Old Union Elementary and Eubanks Intermediate, said. “And my husband definitely notices how much time it takes.”
More Than Minutes and Meetings
Behind every successful event and campus need met is a level of planning that looks remarkably like a well-oiled business operation. Each PTO maintains its own bylaws, executive board and annual budget tailored to the needs of its campus. Hand-in-hand with school administrations, PTO leaders determine where funds will make the greatest impact.
“We build a budget just like any other organization,” said Ana Horton, PTO president at Johnson Elementary. “The board approves it, and then we manage against it all year.”
But these budgets are far removed from the bake-sale stereotype, and the turf field is not a one-off. Across Carroll ISD, PTOs routinely fund five- and six-figure projects that shape the physical experience of school. At Eubanks Intermediate, PTOs raised $160,000 in a single summer to fund a multi-use volleyball and sport court, along with outdoor seating and campus enhancements. Walnut Grove’s student-wide Grove Games most recent fundraiser generated $81,000, while Johnson Elementary’s student-led Olympics raised $75,000 in one year alone.
These dollars often fund infrastructure work many families assume is district-provided, including things that most parents would never associate with PTOs, such as parking lot maintenance, campus signage and exterior upgrades, as well as ongoing landscaping projects like tree trimming and power washing.
At Carroll Senior High School, Principal Shatina Lewis says PTO support functions as a true operational partner.
“Our PTO is an incredible resource for Carroll Senior High,” Lewis said. “Every semester, they demonstrate real appreciation and support for our teachers and students through generous grants and other financial gifts. They help outfit the campus with important equipment and upgrade classroom resources for individual teachers on a monthly basis.”
As a veteran educator, Lewis is clear-eyed about how unusual that level of involvement is. “You do not get this kind of support everywhere,” she said. “It is an amazing partnership, and we are so grateful.”
Stewardship is a shared value. Presidents spoke often about minimizing fees, negotiating discounts and ensuring as much money as possible goes directly to classrooms.
“We’re always looking for platforms with zero fees,” Ingram said. “That’s part of being responsible with the money families entrust to us.”
Transparency plays a key role in building trust. Budgets are reviewed in meetings. Principals collaborate closely with PTO boards. Larger projects require district and school board approval.
“It’s very much a partnership,” said Carrie Alaniz, PTO president at Carroll High School and Carroll Senior High.
The Surprising Places Support Goes
What may surprise many families is just how much need exists for PTO funding, and just how far that support extends beyond parties and snacks. Many PTO-funded items are things families assume are simply part of the standard school experience.
“Those tear-out homework pages?” Ingram said. “We pay for those.”
While districts provide core curriculum, PTOs fund many of the supplemental tools that make learning more effective and engaging. That includes back-to-school start-up funds for every teacher, classroom technology, poster printers, laminators and signage that helps students navigate spaces and supports teachers in managing instruction. They also help cover conference registration fees, travel support and substitutes so teachers can attend professional development trainings.
Enrichment funding represents another significant portion of PTO budgets. Across campuses, PTOs pay for assemblies, field trip transportation, animal science programming, fine arts equipment and large-scale student experiences. As one PTO leader explained, “We spend $100,000 every year on enrichment programs that parents assume are a given.”
“If teachers feel supported,” said Noreen Kane, “students benefit.”
At Walnut Grove, Principal Davis says those gestures carry real weight. “They send cards, provide food and create moments that make our teachers feel truly seen,” she said.
Those moments often turn into experiences students remember. “In December, they created a Polar Express event for all 600 students, complete with a miniature train and hot chocolate,” Davis said. “They help make Walnut Grove a fun environment for learning. We love our PTO.”
Many student experiences that feel seamless to families require significant behind the scenes planning. Foam parties and mechanical bulls aren’t exactly commonplace at many schools, yet our PTOs make creative, memorable moments like these happen regularly.
Just as important are the quieter investments: portable stages, pipe-and-drape systems, signage, fine arts equipment and specialized instruments, including an electric piano that expanded access for student musicians.
“If you see something special happening outside the classroom,” Kane said, “chances are PTO made it possible.”
Building Better Campuses
One of the most surprising aspects of PTO involvement for many families is how deeply these organizations support the physical environments where students and teachers spend their days.
PTO funding enhances campus safety through walkie-talkies and badge scanners, while also expanding opportunities for movement and play through turf, sport courts, playground enhancements and new athletic systems. Inside school buildings, PTOs help update teacher lounges, administrative areas, and shared spaces.
For Carroll Middle School Principal Stephanie Martin, that support has been essential, particularly during her first year in the district.
“The CMS PTSO has been an incredible source of support,” Martin said. “They have truly been a lifeline to me.”
Through regular meetings and ongoing communication, Martin says the partnership allows her to focus on leading the campus, knowing her staff is supported.
“They go above and beyond, hosting luncheons, organizing treat carts, filling staff wish lists, and providing thoughtful gifts,” she said. “Their dedication and generosity make a significant impact on our campus culture.”
Connecting the Community
One of Southlake’s greatest strengths is how closely PTOs collaborate across schools and grade levels. Presidents regularly share resources and best practices, often supporting campuses their own children have not yet reached.
“I’ll happily give to a campus even if my kid isn’t there yet,” Christine Kane said. “Because I know they’re coming.”
For families who haven’t been closely involved, often simply because of limited time, participation doesn’t have to be all or nothing. PTO leaders across the district emphasized that support comes in many forms, and even small contributions matter.
“You don’t have to chair a committee,” Erin Ingram said. “Even joining the mailing list helps.”
Attending a single meeting can offer insight into how decisions are made and how funds are used. Amazon wish lists allow parents to support classrooms directly. A modest donation, pooled with others, helps fund programs and experiences that benefit entire campuses.
“It can feel intimidating if you don’t know how to get involved,” said Lisa Sutton, PTO president at Dawson Middle School. “But just reach out. We’ll help you find your place.”
Ultimately, getting involved looks different for every family. Whether through time, talent or financial support, once a year or once a week, participation helps sustain the programs, environments and relationships that make schools feel whole.
And sometimes, that first step is simply noticing something that isn’t working – like noticing the burrs in a sock – and choosing to do something to help make it better.
To get involved, visit SouthlakeCarroll.edu/Support-CISD/PTOs