Last Spring, our Assistant Principal was voted in as Secretary. He held the position until August when the School District's attorney advised him to resign, as it would be a conflict of interest.
Our by-laws state that the principal or his representative is a voting member of the PTO Board. Our principal can sign PTO checks, but we only ask him to if the check needs two signatures and we're in a hurry, and can't get another officer.
I think having the principal as the PTO President is a really bad idea. Can he devote the time? Will parents feel pressured to go along with whatever he suggests? Will teachers feel as comfortable discussing classroom extras with him as they would with just a plain old PTO "Parent" President? (He is their "boss", right?) Can he oversee week-long PTO events, such as book fairs, Santa Shops, etc.?
It's wonderful that your principal is so interested in the PTO, but not as president.
I feel a great sense of commitment from your replies. Please keep them comming as I went to the first meeting tonight and as of yet there are no bylaws at all.....Thank you for your help so far and am looking forward to more replies.
Thank you also for the kind compliment. I treasure my children and want only the bet for them and for all the children at our school.
I wouldn't have a big problem with a principal being a PTO president, as long as your group has strong bylaws (and they're being followed) and a strong checks and balances system.
Many make the assumption that president = can do whatever he/she wants and control the group. That shouldn't be the case.
As an example (if your bylaws are like most), your membership likely has to approve expenditures. Your membership gets to vote on big decisions. Your membership even gets to vote on leaders at election time. President is just one position in the group. The membership rules.
If your membership chooses principal to be president, and the principal is willing to do the job as it needs to be done (I don't know where he/she would find the time, but...), and your checks and balances are strong -- then no problem.
But if the principal somehow takes over the reigns and there are no bylaws or the bylaws are just sort of winked at -- then big problem.
Our principal is strictly an advisor. He may not sign checks or use our name to promote any program without our permission. Likewise, we don't schedule speakers, programs or make large purchases without his OK.
Good Dad - welcome to the wonderful world of PTO where each group makes its own bylaws and basically "rules". You say that your group is in the process of changing - be a part of that change. There are no higher authorities in PTO - only those who offer words of experience and "wisdom". There is not a regional, state or national board to tell your school's PTO members what is wrong and what is right - that is up to your individual group to decide.
But since you asked . . . in my opinion the principal should not hold an elected position. In the case of Venzmama's group, the principal is automatically a member of the executive board, but is not elected. I would agree with you that holding and elected position along with being principal could be a conflict of interest. Parents may feel pressured to go along with the principal's suggestions as to spending whether or not they agree with it. A voting position I could live with, an elected position I could not. I cannot imagine a principal who would want the added responsibility of this position.
Stay involved in this process of change and stick to your gut instincts. PTO and the kids need more dads like you!
