I agree 100% with the majority of the posts - bringing a lawsuit to this situation would be the wrong choice. Who would pay the court costs of the PTO?? If the payment for the legal costs comes directly from the PTO funds, you are taking money from all of the children at the school and that is completely wrong. These people seem to be losing sight of what that PTO stands for - the best interests of the children.

Our PTO is in the midst of an election and the current PTO board is not on the up and up. As much as their actions over the past two years have disgusted me, I am taking the high road and running for a position on the PTO board. Yes, I would love to win and be able to assist over the next two years in important activities and decisions that directly affect the school career of my child and his peers, but if it doesn't happen and the "corrupt" PTO board remains, I will still take the high road and volunteer as much as I can. If I have issues with that board, I will voice my concerns and hope that things are done correctly. I would never dream of bringing the law into things, even if they said things that they hoped would make me look bad.

The whole thing that makes me sick, in any situation where parents pull stunts like this, is the example that they are setting for their children and their children's peers. We are supposed to be raising children that are kind, thoughtful, caring individuals, that will grow into adults that not only look out for themselves, but will treat people with the respect that they would want for themselves. We live in a world that, these days, a lawsuit is brought about in the drop of a hat. The fact that McDonald's had to include the note "Contents may be hot" on their coffee cups because someone had the brilliant idea to burn themselves and take it to court is an excellent example of that.

Worry about raising decent human beings that you can be proud of - don't waste your time on the ones that are already lost.

yes,Phil B, we are in (violent -- ooh how about strong) agreement! your posts are truly infomrational and helpful. thanks for all your inputs. i agree 100% with everyithing i have read to date by you! i have learned a lot from you . thanks so much!

All OK Now,

Please allow me to clarify the statement that "A Principal has no right to prevent parents from meeting and discussing the school, or even fundraising for the school". I believe the statement is accurate and I also believe we are in violent agreement.

Some PTOs are set up as an extension of the school itself. In this case, typically, the PTO uses the school's bank account, or uses the school's (district's) tax ID number (EIN). Perhaps the Principal is the leader of the PTO group or holds a formal, and significant, role. In this case, the PTO is not an independent entity (legally or otherwise) and you are correct that the Princ. has the authority to disband the group at his/her whim.

I have no data to back up the following assertion, but it is my belief that the vast majority of PTOs are set up as independent of the school - to one extent or another. On the one hand you have PTOs that have gone the full 501c3 non-Profit route (like mine). These are clearly defined as independent organizations from the school they support and have the documentation to back it up (Charter or by-laws, own EIN, Non-Profit Approval letter from IRS). Other PTOs are less formally defined, but if they have their own bank account (not under the approval of the school) and EIN, I content they too are independent organizations from the schools they support.

An independent organization is, by definition, separate from the school. As an organization it is only beholden to its members (within the boundaries defined by it's Charter). So long as the members of a PTO organization want it to continue, it will be able to do so regardless of outside influences.

You are absolutely correct that the Principal is the head of the school and has some authority over who can and cannot hold meetings within the school grounds. If a PTO is so shortsighted as to get into the situation mentioned above, the Princ. is within his.her authority to ban the PTO from holding meetings on school grounds. This would make it difficult, but not impossible, for the PTO to operate. The PTO could meet at a parents house, or at a local restaurant, or the library, or rent a hall.

The Princ could make it very difficult for the PTO to function, but she/he does not have the authority to disband the independent organization. Of course, it the PTo were so disfunctional to force a Principal to ban it from the campus, it is entirely likely that it will implode on it's own without much more of a push.

i agree with the last post also. if adults have to pay lawyers to do the talking for them , ie to iron out differences, those folks should NOT be part of any Parent Teacher Student Assoc or Organization. it just doenst fit. adults need to act like adults, and also find peacable conflict resolution ways, and also be role models to their school peers and kids. otherwise, where is the world headed? certainly not in the right direction, imo.

I understand what you are saying but I do agrre that suing would only hurt your entire group. With that said, there has to be a way to at least work together. Whether you "like" each other or not. You could still volunteer for things and be involved. That will be your best thing to do to help you feel better. If that is why you started with PTO than that is why you should continue. Do not quit or let someone else "push" you out. Just try to stay positive for the kids and do what you enjoy! It may not seem like you want to do this right now, but I bet with a little time you will want to again. Remember, it's about the kids, it is just sometimes adults can side track us! But try to hang in there! the pay off for your kids is worth it!

Not Happy -- did things resolve to your satisfaction? we had a similar situation at our school in the past and your note was deja vu all over again.
i agree with all replies above (all smart folks there wtih the right attitude!) with one exception "A Principal has no right to prevent parents from meeting and discussing the school, or even fundraising for the school" -- as the head of school must allow use of school to independent organizations, and those groups/clubs must adhere to district policies in order to run their meetings at the public school grounds....if any group, even a PTO , is in violation of district policies then it seems to me the head of school has the ultimate authority to refuse the use of the schhol grounds to such a group. it seems in your case, hhave no idea if district policies were adhered to, but sure seems common decency went out the window and i shoudl think a head of schol would not tolerte such poor actions on the school grounds by any group but in particular one in the svc of kids. of course, OFF school grounds, any independent PTO or other group can do what they choose without having to stick to school rules or regs.