The “Idaho Voice” Newsletter
Idaho Congress of Parents and Teachers celebrate 120 years of Advocating for Children in the State of Idaho.
Idaho PTA 2026 Convention
More details coming soon for the Idaho PTA 2026 Convention!
Register Here: https://www.idahopta.org/events/idaho-pta-convention
The PTA Organizational Structure
National PTA - 501c3
The National PTA sets the vision and provides national-level advocacy, grants, and program opportunities for states and local units. With over 125 years of service, it offers a unified national voice for children’s rights and education equity.
Role:
Develops nationwide policy and advocacy tools
Supports state and local units with leadership training
Provides access to national programs and funding
Unites millions of PTA voices across the country
Idaho Statewide PTA - 501c3
The Idaho PTA acts as the backbone and connector between local units and the national organization. Celebrating 120 years of service, Idaho PTA provides training, support, compliance tools, and leadership development. It also leads state-level advocacy, legislative tracking, and public policy initiatives to protect and fund public education.
Role:
Offers compliance guidance and nonprofit oversight
Coordinates training, events, and statewide campaigns
Amplifies Idaho’s voice in the national arena
Maintains Non-profit compliance oversight for Idaho local units
Idaho Local Unit PTA - 501c3(s)
These are school-based PTAs, established as nonprofit organizations at the local level. They focus on building community within their own schools, supporting teachers and students directly through events, fundraising, and volunteer efforts. Local Units also receive training, resources, and guidance from the Idaho State PTA.
Role:
Organizes school-specific programs
Elects local leadership
Maintains nonprofit compliance
Connects families to statewide and national efforts
The Voices of ALL Idaho Parents, Teachers, Students & Friends
(Base of the Pyramid – Blue Layer)
This is the foundation of Idaho PTA—where every voice matters. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student, grandparent, or community supporter, your participation is what drives our mission. You don’t have to belong to a specific school PTA to be part of the movement. Through State-wide Membership or as a Friend of Idaho PTA, your involvement fuels advocacy, education, and support for all children across Idaho.
Role:
Voices of all Idaho kids and public schools
Participates in events, training, and legislative efforts
Supports PTA values and mission
Community Conversation: Idaho Falls Town Hall
Building Trust and Credibility in Our Communities
At the recent Save Our Schools Town Hall in Idaho Falls, someone in the audience asked me a question that cuts to the heart of this debate:
“This bill allocates only 0.89% of the general fund budget. Our state has not provided funds to properly support schools ever. This bill is creating a forum to discuss the best interest of Idaho kids, but how are you addressing building trust and credibility within our communities to garner the support needed to move the mark here in our community? This room supports public education, but what are you doing to build trust and support within this community?”
This is exactly the right question. It’s not just about the money. It’s about trust.
When money is diverted off the top of the state budget to private schools, without public debate or legislative appropriation, it fuels mistrust in how decisions are made. Communities rightly ask:
Who decides how public money is spent?
Are those decisions transparent and accountable?
Will every child, especially the most vulnerable, be served?
Imagine Excellence: Idaho Grassroots Education Movement
Idaho PTA is participating in a grassroots approach with the creation of the Idaho Public Education Coalition. Legislators and educators will return to their communities, ask real questions, and listen. We’ll gather that input through a statewide survey available in May and regional meetings with parents, educators, students, administrators, and other community members. This data will provide the critical foundation for future policy.
Interested in attending our Imagine Excellence meetings in your community? Read more: https://idahoed.com
Jamie Braithwaite, Idaho State PTA President participated in the Imagine Excellence Meeting in Eastern Idaho on June 16, 2025. She discussed the future of Idaho Public Education along side legislators, school board members, school administrators, superintendants, teachers, parents, and community members.
“If I had to start with one change, it would be this: Our kids. Our schools.
Our kids aren’t the problem—the system is. Let’s stop asking them to fit into outdated models, and start building schools for the future—schools that recognize and nurture every student’s full potential.” - Jamie Braithwaite
Read More for Jamie Braithwaite’s answers to all the questions