Thank you, Michelle. And you're right, too when you say that sometimes that people occasionally need a point to rally around. If nothing else, anyone who's been a parent group officer knows the need to provide direction at times... [img]smile.gif[/img]

You could take a stand on this issue (which you agree with) but what about another issue that you don't agree with. I don't think the PTO officers have the right to pick & choose which issues they support or don't support

You definately shouldn't take a stand just because the officers think so. You need to have the input of your membership. It's their group too. But what your bylaws state is important. in ptoqueens post, her bylaws would not allow it, in which case, you follow your bylaws. But if you your bylaws don't prohibit it, and if it appears that there is a strong opinion from your parents, bring it to a vote. If it's voted down then it's done. You can at least tell those parents that are in favor that it was voted upon and decided that this is an issue we will not be able to address.

I've been a PTO president for two years and I agree that some parent concerns should be discussed between the parents & teachers or parents & administrators. Our bylaws specifically say that the PTO is not to direct the administrative activites of the school. And I think you have to be careful. You could take a stand on this issue (which you agree with) but what about another issue that you don't agree with. I don't think the PTO officers have the right to pick & choose which issues they support or don't support. In my school, parents will constantly ask me questions. Some of them I direct to the principal or the teacher but alot of times I suggest they contact their child't teacher directly. It's much easier than having to play the go-between when we always don't have both sides of a story.

Jon you are absolutely right that it should be the parents but sometimes, people just need a rallying focus. Other times, the issue may be convaluted by many opinions (teachers/staff may be making contact too) One phone call from a parent might be remembered. Maybe a few spread out over the course of a few days. But if a group states that they have a membership of ??? and that membership has stated that this is what they want, than it is a little harder to ignore.
You don't have to organize it as PTO or PTA. You could even start a petition off school grounds.

Though there are a number of very valid points being made here, I still think it needs to be the parents as parents, not as a PTA or PTO doing the asking. Asking for more face time with the teacher, with the principal, with the superintendant..., is the right of every parent. If enough parents ask the Board of Ed for more conferences, maybe they'll get the hint.

I think the better question is "If I don't stand up for my child, who will?" If you have an issue that the parents as a whole feel very strongly about than it wouldn't be unreasonable to support it as an organization. The big part about taking a stand is that the majority of your org, agrees. You should poll them and get their opinion and then bring the issue to a vote as to whether this is an issue you will speak to. If the majority of your parents feel that more parent/teacher conferences are necessary than why shouldn't you support it?
Ironically, we have recently dealt with this very subject. The school district was considering eliminating half of the P/T conferences. A rep from the district did come to our council meeting to discuss it but that was all that was done, discussion. They later did it and stated that Council had suppported it. We had not because our parents hadn't been polled on their opinion. I realize that you are dealing with a school rather than the district but since this issue involves you as a parent, it is your issue too. I would be careful not to take a stand without the membership behind though.