Start by working with your Director of Facilities and the Director of the Grounds department. If things don't match up between what you are being told by one person, to another, then continue to ask questions until you are satisfied. Don't be afraid to write a letter to, or arrange an in-person meeting with, higher-ups in the district if you're not satisfied with the answers you are getting. Be prepared to contribute funds from whatever organization you are with, such as a PTA, but also negotiate with them to spend some of the funds set aside for capital projects, as the bottom line is, playgrounds are a school district's responsibility, not a PTA's responsibility.
I am dealing with a school district as well in CT, in fact I am attending a school board community meeting tommorrow. I spoke with the Director of Operations and he made it seem like the playground, or lack there of in our situation, was an "extra" that there would be no money for. He also leaned toward me contacting the PTA of the school, which because of summer vacation, and the fact that my kindergarten son is just entering the school system in September I have no idea how to contact before school starts. How do we parents convince a city system that it is the responsibility of the board of education? There are a number of circumstances that the school would deny the need for a playground including that the school building being temporary (4 years at least) and that the budgeted money they did have for it in 2007 was spent at the high school instead "for accrediation reasons".
Perhaps every school district is different in their rationale regarding new playground equipment. Our school district as well has said - it's the PTA or other support group to handle this project - since schools are strapped for cash anyway, their priority seems to lie with the education part (perhaps) - especially here in California.
As for the contacting the PTA, if you are new to school - you probably won't find out about them until school actually starts, unless you know someone with an "in" to the school staff. Or if the PTA has a website, etc, search for that. Since I am already on the PTA, we continue to meet throughout the summer - since we also want to fundrasie for a new playground as well. In the beginning of the school year, most PTA's make themselves visible or at least send something home. Also they might have a mailbox at the school in the office you can send a letter to them now.
Within the last week I have attended and spoke at the City Council meeting to get city funding for the school playground. All city council members seemed very favorable in granting us some funds. Hopefully at least a smaller scale playscape. We will see on Aug 4 which is the next meeting. I rallied over the weekend and we did have a handful of parents and teachers show up to the meeting, 1 teacher and 3 parents spoke. They did pass 2 amendments that evening and the city manager is looking to get the funds so things are looking up. I am hoping to get more parent support for the next CC meeting, if they are voting on it and a lot of parents show, it may pursuade them futher to get this built quickly. I think I have done most if not all the legwork for the project. Cross your fingers
As a PTA president and having completed our first build at the school, here are some suggestions. Make sure that the Principal of the school and the staff support the project. Even if you feel it is important, the school may feel that they would rather have a pta raise funds for smart boards, etc. If you have the principal, teachers, support staff, and parent support create a proposal. Have your proposal ready-the breakdown of equipment, installation, location, and what the playground would look like. If you have already spoken with some potential sponsors, let that be known through a letter of commitment that you can include in your proposal. If you will be generating funds through a car wash, etc. include that as well with a guesstimate of generated funds. If you have a City council, find out who represents the district that the school is in. Present the proposal to them to garner their support, perhaps they will fund in the future (a Phase II like our council did once we proved we could complete a phaseI). Then find out who the school board member is that represents your school. Let them know how important this project is. include stats about the students at the school (is it a title I, is there a playground/park accessible for the kids if there isn't a playground at the school). Will the playground be open to the public or just the students. if it is for the community, that may have more impact. Check out our KaBOOM! website (our school is BYCK located in Louisville, KY) or our website www.byckpta.org for how we did it. We are having a celebration on August 5th dedicating Phase I. It can happen, and quickly, so be prepared with a time line for when the build will start and finish, who is involved. Some school districts do not want parent volunteers touching/installing the actual equipment, so be very aware of that in advance.
Whew! I know it seems overwhelming, but get a group together to tackle sep issues-one can get bids (have at least 3), one can work on talking with the council, etc, one can handle the budget, because you cannot do it alone!
Most of all-HAVE FUN!!!!!
Dorit
MJT