I think a represenative of your school, be it Teacher or Principal should have a vote. Be thankful your Principal isn't running your PTO without being an Officer of the PTO, like our Principal did last year, when our President resigned and the Vice President didn't step up to the office, nor advertised for a replacement. The Vice President was a non contracted staff member at our school, so she pretty much let him have full control, gees he would cancel our meetings without the Vice President knowing first. Anyway its good for school PTO relations to give your Pricipal a vote, but not control.
One way to get around hurt feelings is to vote by closed ballot. It does take alittle bit more time, but if your concern is that the principal's opinion could sway another's vote, closed ballot is the way to go. Our principal does not vote on most things, since she is not a member of the "executive board" (re--she doesn't chair or serve on a committee). And as president, I do not vote unless there is a tie. It's in the by-laws that a president doesn't vote unless it's a tie-breaker...you must remain neutral. Actually, I believe it's also in "Robert's Rules of Order" as well.
Principals can definately be intimidating, even when they aren't trying.
Our principal doesn't have a vote. She is the ex-officio, I think that is what she is. She sets up there with the board and clarifies things that we are permitted and not permitted to do as per state, district, and school policies. She is allowed to give her opinion. But she doesn't get mad if someone disagrees with her.
Our principle gets a vote, but as part of a Administration Committee which is allowed one vote on the executive board. He is not alone on that comittee so technicalically he could want yes on something, but be out voted by the others in the committee so the Admin vote could be no (I have not seen this happen though).
The only people that are allowed a single vote are the 4 officers of our PTO (pres, vp, secretary and treasurer). And, I don't vote (as pres) to stay neutral on items that are split. All other exectutive meeting votes are from committees which have 3 or more people that make up that one vote that the committee is allowed.
Our Principal votes, as do the teachers. the only thing we are trying to prevent is the principal and teachers voting on compensation that directly affects them -- stipends for example. Obviously they are going to vote for it.
I do like the idea of the principal being on the nominating committee tho. thanks for the idea!
