With her two sons grown ? one entering his senior year at college and the other already in graduate school ? Sue Katz could have decided to spend her weekends and evenings doing almost anything.
She opted to run for president of PTA Council of Baltimore County ? strictly a volunteer position. Her one-year term became effective July 1.
“I?ve spent my life as an advocate for children,” Katz said, “and in a way it was a natural decision. I thought about what does it mean for me [with her children grown] and my life, but decided now I have the time.”
Katz has served on the PTA Council since 2002 and on the Baltimore County Public Schools Northwest Area Educational Advisory Council since 2004. She was a community representative on the boundary committees for recently built Windsor Mill Middle School and New Town High School. She?s been Owings Mills? High School PTSA president and membership chair, is a Maryland PTA Life Member, and has received a Distinguished Service Award from the PTA Council. Professionally, she is the director of Planning and Regulatory Affairs for Kennedy Krieger Institute, where she manages regulatory activities for the hospital, coordinates long-range planning and serves as liaison to the board of directors.
Katz said she has three main goals for the upcoming year. She wants to enhance the PTA Council?s current partnerships ? the organization serves as anumbrella for local PTAs and PTSAs ? and she would like the council to become more visible in the schools and offer assistance wherever appropriate.
“We need to work with the school board officers, the stakeholder groups, the school system administration and elected officials,” Katz said, noting she has already met with schools Superintendent Joe Hairston and School Board Vice-Chairman Roger Janssen, and has appointments scheduled with School Board President Donald Arnold and County Executive Jim Smith.
Katz also is improving the PTA Council?s communication efforts, including hiring a public relations firm and updating their Web site. She will eventually send out e-newsletters.
As a key link between local PTAs, her other current objective is further developing the council?s area vice-president positions ? there are two for each of the five areas ? and encouraging them to function as a liaison with the council.
“They live in those areas, had or have children in those schools, and that?s what is most important,” Katz said.
At a glance
» The PTA Council of Baltimore County celebrated its 55th anniversary in October and serves more than 45,000 members in 158 local PTAs.
» The PTA Fall Workshop will be held at Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at New Town High School
» For more information on the PTA Council, go to bcptacouncil.org or call 410-666-6637.
