sonsx, if all other roads fail, you CAN approach the state dept. without fear of repercussion.

typically all complaints remain confidential, in most cases. child abuse and stuff like that, of course not, but where possible, they assure anonymity.

AND, principal and supers are considered certificated staff (ie 'teachers')and are bound to the 'educator code of conduct' -- enter those words into yuor state depts website and see what theyre supposed to do in their job), and misconduct includes not adhereing to their code of ethics.

i am not suggesting anyone did anything to violate their obligations, i ignore all details you describe above, just sharing with ya what i know about getting information, becasuse parents have an obligation to be informed about school matters and know their rights.

knowledge/information never hurt anyone, its what yuo do with it, or what you dont do with it , that can have an effect on your child.

anyway, good luck , at least your getting the benefit of lots of minds that are eager and willing to share their experiences with the best of intentions, here on these boards. they know how to host a good party too (ie drink mixes recipes and such) if you peruse the SOCIAL threads!! LOL).

I agree. There has to be something more I don't know about. It just doesn't make any sense and it is downright wrong! The superintendent claims he is just as upset by this and I tend to believe him. He called the schools lawyers about the situation before I even contacted him. He seems like an honest and fair man. He has given us advice on what to do. He says it is up to the members to insist on an election. I heard a rumour that this woman is suing the school for being fired last year but when my friend went to a website where you can get that kind of info, there was nothing there. We are just astounded.

Even the reaction of her fellow "newly not elected board members" is that they are not going to get involved, not going to get in the middle of things.

It seems reasonable to me that the school and/or principal simply say to this renegade board that they have gotten complaints, please follow your bylaws and hold an election.

I am going to the next school board meeting on Sept. 12th to expose this. There are 3 new school board members who were not there for her firing last year so they may not be aware of her history.

Such a nice way to start the new year, huh?

It is frustrating when you run up against apathetic parents. If your group has a bad reputation to begin with, though, you might find that many parents have simpy washed their hands of the group and don't really care when they hear yet another bad thing. Maybe you could suggest to the people you speak to that they call the district, say something like, "What do you think we should do about this? Should we call the district?" Their reaction to that will tell you a lot about how they feel about the issue. And some people need action suggested to them before they do anything. Keep us posted on how you are doing with all of this.

First and foremost, you really need to talk with someone from the leagl dept. of the school district to find out where the group stands and on what. I would file a complaint about the Super AND your conserns for reprocussions if you contiune to question the matter.

Same needs to be discussed with the BOE on the state level.

I also have three boys and two girls...and am afraid to know how passionate I would be about a matter like this. I did shy away from an issue two years ago regarding secutrity guards carring guns in our school but that was resolved by hiring a different company for activities at night.

I'm being to smell a duck here though....there's something more...either she knows somethign or they just want her to go away too! But there is something.

....Have you talked to any law enforcment about this? Just as a concerned parent, not a nosey busy body....smile here!

Thanks beignets. I will do that today. As far as making a complaint to the State Education Department, I searched their site and it looks to me like you have to make a complaint about professional misconduct or name someone who is licensed and not doing their job. I don't think I want to make a complaint about our super (this is his second year and he was instrumental in getting her fired last year). I also have 3 kids in the district- I am not stupid.

The hardest part of all of this is trying to understand the amount of apathy I am being confronted with as I make more people aware of this situation. I have been getting a lot of - "Oh yes, that is terrible!" but no action at all - not even a phone call to the district.

BTW if the PTSO is NOT independent (and even if it is), your state dept of education handles complaints related to their actions.

google your 'state dept of ed' , find their helpline number, and give them a call to ask what the best way is to handle a school related complaint the district refuses to address.

and EVEN if htey are independent, chances are, since the district must give the authority to them to use school grounds, both during teaching hours and off hours, that the state dept can help you out anyway.

after all, its the state dept of ed job to look after welfare of children, and thats basically waht yuor goal is, to help insure that.

give them a call, your state dept legal complaint department and see if that helps.

focus on childrens welfare, not the 'they wont adhere to their own rules' aspect of things.