I agree with JHB you have to have a good close working relationship with the Principal. It took us the greater part of the year to get this kind of relationship. She was afraid we were going to be like a past PTO and tell her how to run the school, and we got off to a bad start. She did not promote us or people joining. I also had issues with other administrators on things that had happened with my older children, that's another horror story, but by the end of the school year we had proven to her that we were not anything like the past PTOs and she had proven to me that she really cared about our students and their safety. I went to her finally one day to discuss some issues I was having involving the then President. It opened up us discussing this other stuff and we sat had a good talk, and from then on we've worked well together. But she never took over, she did give us good advice, and in the end told parents at an event what a great job we had done and that they should become a part of the team. We have had several meetings this summer even. I told her I wanted to feel her out of ideas for next year, and this forum is brought up a lot. I saw this on there and that on there what do you think. lol So thanks for everyones support, help and ideas. It makes a difference when you have others to talk to besides those close to your own situation. just have to remember the children come first and they learn by seeing and listening.
As the person in charge of the school, our Principal plays a key role in the PTO. But in no way does he run the organization, either directly or behind the scenes. We do ask his viewpoint of new officer candidates and key volunteers, but just as one more form of gathering information. The only members of the Board he can pick are the two teacher reps, and he generally consults with the PTO President before finalizing that.
The principal has responsibility for students, the school, and anything that occurs on school property - so we do need a good, close working relationship. We keep him very involved and respect his advice. Once in awhile he has to turn down an idea or request. Once in awhile we need to turn down one of his requests for funds (or more likely - compromise). Sometimes it involves given and take to reach the solution that everyone can accept.
The PTO should be an independent organization, but tightly interrelated with the school.
Not here it isn't. The parents nominate people for the offices then vote on them. Majority rules. We do have to clear things that we do through the school through her but usually we say we're doing this and she says ok. We can't do any fund raisers using all the students, just the paid members. She may suggest things that need funding but we hold a meeting and what ever members show up vote on what the funds we raise go to, not every little item, but the big stuff. If ours tried what yours is I think I'd have to tell her to do it all herself and I'd just help
the teachers in the classrooms.
Do you have any by laws that state how officers come into place and how it's decided on the way funds are spent?
I'm a new officer starting this year.
What rule does the principal play in the PTO.
In our school he hand picked all the officers and tells us what we can and can't do. Even telling us what to use the money on.Is this the norm ? Thanks for you help.
