Madison City Council of PTAs connects families with schools

MADISON – Predominately involved in behind-the-scenes work, Madison City Council of PTAs strives to give a unifying voice for all the individual PTA organizations on all campuses of Madison City Schools.

The council includes elected PTA officers in Madison schools. As a force that works together, the PTA council can advocate for all students.

Madison City Council of PTAs, a non-profit organization, promotes the welfare of children and youth and encourages partnership among parents, community and schools.

Dr. Ed Nichols, Superintendent of Madison City Schools, recently engaged in a collaborative work session with officers in Madison City Council of PTAs. Madison Board of Education President Tim Holtcamp and board member Alice Lessmann spoke in the opening session before PTA members began business discussions.

“Our PTAs are key to the success of Madison City Schools by connecting families and schools and in various support roles,” Nichols said. “Please consider joining your PTA and become a partner to your school and the MCS school system.”

Patricia ‘P.J.’ Batchelor leads Madison City Council of PTAs for her second year as President. She also serves as Vice President of Membership for James Clemens High School PTSA.

Batchelor has three children: Zachary, a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps; Caila, a senior at James Clemens; and Jacob, a seventh-grader at Liberty Middle School.

Batchelor first served as a PTA Board member as Vice President of Volunteers at Columbia Elementary School from 2015-2016. She continued at Columbia as President, 2016-2018, Public Affairs Officer, 2018-2019; and President again, 2019-2020. She joined the James Clemens PTSA Board for 2019-2021 as Vice President of Volunteers.

Terrie Regensburger is Co-Vice President of the council board, along with serving as Chair of Ways & Means with Liberty Middle School PTA. Her son Blake is a sixth-grader at Liberty, and daughter Lexi is a James Clemens sophomore.

Regensburger’s first PTA assignment was Ways & Means Chair at Heritage Elementary School, followed by terms as Vice President and President at Heritage. She is serving her second consecutive year as Vice President for Madison City Council of PTAs.

Stephenie Walker is current Co-Vice President and Legislative Chair for the council. She has served as past PTA President at Discovery Middle School from 2018-2020. A Madison County native, Walker has two sons at Bob Jones High School: Finn, a junior, and Eliot, a sophomore.

Sarita Edwards has five children, ranging from four to 23 years old. Currently, she has students at Rainbow Elementary School, Discovery and Bob Jones. She has worked on PTA boards in MCS for numerous years. This school year, Edwards is President of Bob Jones PTSA; Secretary of Discovery PTA; and Secretary of Madison City Council of PTAs.

Edwards is a parent and legislative advocate, patient leader, podcast host and nonprofit CEO/President. She is dedicated to advocacy, education and public policy with focus on rare diseases, children with disabilities and equitable healthcare solutions.

Heather Gjesvold is Treasurer of the council, along with working as Treasurer of at James Clemens PTSA. Her two sons attend James Clemens. She enjoys outdoor activities and traveling.

Previously, Gjesvold served for three years at Columbia as Treasurer, two years at Liberty as Treasurer, two years at Liberty as President and one year as James Clemens Secretary.

“This group does so much for our district that I am deeply grateful for,” Nichols said. “They play a key role in hosting events, supporting our teachers, informing the school community, raising funds . . . the list goes on. I encourage everyone in our school family to consider joining the PTA of your child’s (ren’s) school.”

Membership drives are ongoing at all 11 Madison campuses. Membership fees go directly in support of each school.

In addition, community residents interested in joining the PTA at all 11 of our schools can subscribe to a Mega Membership, which Madison City Council of PTAs is offering. For more information, visit mcspta.square.site.

For more information, email ptamadisoncity@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Madison City PTA Group.