Thanks everyone. Here's what I did. I wrote him and told him that if what I said was not allowed at a PTO forum, I do apologize. Although I did quote the first paragraph of our PTO bylaws. However, I did tell him I did not appreciate the disrespect I received (from him) and did not deserve that kind of treatment. I went on to say that no parent should be 'afraid' to voice a question or suggestion at a PTO meeting and be 'shot down' and humiliated (yes, I was in tears). We'll see what happens. At this point I don't feel I need to have a separate meeting - I think he heard me the first time. I do appreciate everyone's opinion though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

The thing is while in theory you think it is okay to talk about...the principal is never going to sit in an open forum like a PTO meeting and discuss one of his employees. If you have a problem with your child's teacher you don't take it to a PTO meeting, you take it to the principal in his office.

As the poster stated she did not mention her name because she was in an open forum, well whats the point then....I can tell you something somebody is doing, but I can't tell you who.

Listen Jstone, you have a valid complaint and I think the principal handled it the wrong way...He should have said "we can't discuss this here, but see me after this meeting." I also don't think you should just let it go because your mad at the way he handled it. Your concern is valid and should be taken to him. You and any other concerned parents should absolutely go see him in his office.

Just something to think about....Maybe the principal handled it the way he did because he wanted you to get mad and drop it.

I can sympathize with your plight. We have one aide who caused quite a bit of agita last year. She's a hardened veteran, and it came to light she was smacking kids in the head. You know, "Keep it down!" then a bitch slap to the back of the head.

The students (sixth graders), decided to try and handle it themselves and went to the principal (and we know what a prize she is), who blew them off. One of the kids went to his mother, who was also an lunch aide at that time but for a different grade. She naturally went ape and went to the principal. Not only is it totally unacceptable that anyone lay a hand on your kid, she also pointed out that had it been her doing that and not some 85 year old friend of the school secretary, she'd not only been fired, but someone would have called DYFS (state Department of Youth and Family Services) on her.

The aide was called in, told to stop the hitting, and received no formal reprimand.The mom who complained was the pariah of the lunch aide group--even with those who agreed with her. The main problem was that she got an 85-year old woman in trouble. I said she was lucky it wasn't my kid--I'd have given her a little of her own medicine and seen if she'd liked it!

I see no problem with bringing this up at a PTO meeting. It's a child, parent and administrative issue--what better place to broach the subject? You don't have to work on solving the problem there, but I think it's a good place to start. Naturally you need to call a meeting with the principal--with other parents present. Have in writing the complaint, why it's a problem and suggestions on how the problem could be remedied. Don't be accusatory or judgemental, but be specific. You can't just say she's a b!tch--what exactly is she doing? Try to couch it in terms of the situation being problematic, but you all want to be helpful and solve the problem--not get her in trouble. While the behavior is understandable if the secretary isn't being paid for this extra work, or she needs more help it's still inappropriate. Volunteers are a good place to start. Definitely put in there that you all expect the behavior to stop. Cc the superintendent and Board of Education. If you don't get the response you want, you could casually mention that it needs to be brought up at a BOE meeting (a public forum which could cause some embarrassment).

It really isn't a PTO issue. The PTO is not a cure all for everything that ails your school. The PTO has nothing to do with administration or employees or which staff members are doing a good job and which ones aren't.

Yes, PTO meetings are a place for open communication between parents, teachers, & the principal...but they are not meant to discuss issues or problems that are outside the realm of what the PTO does. The PTO is not responsible for who the school employs and has no say over administration issues.

You will find threads posted within these boards where presidents want to know how to curtail people from taking over their meetings with things that don't belong being discussed there.

If you have a problem like yours it belongs in the principals office, in the superintendents office, and at a BOE meeting. These are the folks responsible for hiring, firing, and how the school runs. They are the only people who can fix a problem of this nature. The PTO can do nothing to fix the problem and therefor it is not a PTO issue.

So where do you think this should have been discussed. Our bylaws state that PTO is for open communication between parents teachers and administrators. Other parents felt the same way. Why would the Principal being willing to discuss a problem that concerns ALL our kids with the parents sitting in front of him? What other forum is there? I feel like this IS a PTO issue. Communication between PARENTS teachers and ADMINISTRATION.

Where are the teachers??? Our teachers are all in with our kids at lunch plus two volunteers. Perhaps you should start a program of parent volunteers, in addition to "teacher duty".
Shelly