For the first time, the New York City Department of Education is releasing a tally of how much money parent associations collect to support their schools.

The new numbers are rough, but they tell an old story: some PTAs bring in a lot of money and many don't. There are PTAs that fund-raise millions of dollars a year to pay for extra-curricular programs and support staff, to send kids on trips and buy materials. But many school PTAs don't raise money at all. That difference is why the City Council required the numbers be made public in the first place.

Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza said he's grateful for the support, but notes fundraising can make the disparities between schools even starker and more unfair. "We are thankful for and greatly value these contributions, but in some instances, and without clear intent, these systems can also perpetuate or exacerbate disparities in opportunities for students," he said. "We will continue to partner with parent leaders in order to generate innovative solutions to the challenges and opportunities before us.”