We just went through some changes at the school that would allow for the "elected" positions to be held by parents, creating 6 new positions for teachers only as well as allowing them to run for any of the committee positions. The repsonse we got back from the staff was we are discriminating and will sue. The fire is fueled by the Principal who is openly trying to get staff to run for ALL positions that will do away with parents. Anyone have any advice?

It's too late for Tracie - but for anyone who may be moving - here's my two cents (and please do not take this as criticism anyone!)

We moved just over a year ago ( and I have an unfair advantage - too - because I am a relocation professional so I know to do this, not everyone does ). School is # 1 priority in where I live - PERIOD END OF STATEMENT. I would rather live in a box under a bridge and have my kids go to good schools rather than a mansion where I have to fight with the principal in order to visit for lunch. I visited schools, interviewed principals and met with parent groups - yes - I am A-type! - before I told my realtor where I wanted to live. (Poor guy - then I went to him and said I want my kids to go to this elementary school, this middle school and this high school, I want a huge house, don't want to spend any money - now go find it.)

Seriously - those of you who have to move from time to time - consider schools from the beginning not only for your own kids, but for resale value.

Tim - need a speaker on the topic?

This is just cheering from the stands:
Having moved into a small rural area once where everyone is related and no one can talk to you until you've been there for 6 months, I can add one helpful piece of advice:
It's not personal. They may just be afraid of change or maybe there's a history that no one's talking about that makes them warry.

Or, heaven forbid-
Maybe it's simply a different culture. Some people genuinely don't believe in education. Check your school's state standardized test scores compared to other schools' scores. The school I knew that actually sabotaged classes and PTA's has an average score that is half of that anywhere else in the state. Why these people were on the school board, I don't know.* But if you see that trend, get ready for quite a ride. You may be the one to drag them and their children into the 21st century.

* This district was so bad that it nearly lost federal funding. There was talk of bussing students to a neighboring district.

[ 03-24-2004, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: nonsequitur ]

Funnily(?) enough, kamamom, I thought PTA might be the way to go on this too.

I live in one of those towns where everyone in the local gov seems to be related or friends at the very least too. It definitely doesn't make things easy if you're posing a perceived threat to them.

You can get around it, but it's going to take a lot of cajones with diplomacy. The cajones part comes in when you let them know you're doing this. If you're doing it on your own; without their tax ID number and insurance, they can't stop you. Setting up a nonprofit is like setting up any other kind of business in that you have the legal right to do so if you want to. They could keep you from using the school name in your org's name, using the kids as carrier pigeons and using the school grounds, but I found they generally won't follow through on that threat. The potential for embarrassing publicity is too great. Why WOULDN'T they want the parents involved and helping, especially financially? Besides, the board members are elected into office; should they prove unwilling to do things for the kids, it's easy enough to vote them out of office.

When doing it on your own just be prepared for the costs; while getting an EIN is free and easy enough (I was shocked when less than a minute later the ID popped up on my screen!), the fees start adding up when you go to incorporate as a nonprofit and file as a 501(c)(3)--we could file under the "cheap" one, and that was $150. Then there's the insurance. It's definitely worth it though, especially if they aren't going to be overly helpful. If you go under their umbrella it would basically put you at their mercy. You might want to look into a PTA, I'm not sure how that works, but MichelleB is a good one to ask about that stuff.

You have to keep reassuring them that you're not up to "meddling" BUT-- if they ARE up to no good, they could be fearful that the nature of what PTOs do will uncover those unpleasant skeletons lurking in their closets.

Good Luck!

Unless you have bylaws that specifically state that you must meet on the school grounds and/or must run fundraisers via the school, I think you will be okay as your set up shop.

As for meeting places: Try to meet in one place all the time. It will need to be a somewhat good sized place to accomodate your growing group later on. I suggest a banquet room at a restaurant. These don't usually come with a cost so long as you order something. Iced Tea anyone?

As for fundraising: This may be tricky at first because you are going to have to do things without the help of those backpack-carrier pigeons (j/k... I mean the students...lol). Most newspapers and local TV ad channels will run promos for you free of charge if you are a non-profit group.
You will also have to run fundraisers that are parent driven, like bake sales, rummage sales, etc. Be creative!

Once the school sees that you have a group that works together and provides things for the school, they will come around. Be sure to always invite the school staff to your meetings, even though they A) may not come or still treat you like a pirhana. Trust me, when they see that you are not in competition with them and can make things better for the school and students, they will come around. It may take time, but if you build it, they will come...

Good Luck!