This is the exact reason why I joined PTO Today. To figure out what the role of the principal should be. I am relatively new to the PTO picture but I like to be aware of what is going on with my daughter's school. Our principal has just issued a motion to give him more authority with our eboard (haven't compared the old and newly proposed by-laws). This is his first year as principal and he is not percieved very well and there are rumors that he was not a good communicator at his previous school.
It would seem to me that a new principal cannot get the feel for what goes on in 6 months. Also if the "regulars" have hesitations about including him on the eboard, wouldn't this create disharmony among the eboard.
I believe that the principal should be part of the picture if there is the potential for trust with the members (which also includes his fellow peers).
Any thoughts or advice before our debate and vote would be appreciated.
I hate to see good people leave PTO because of one person, it's too bad.
I have to say our principal has offered to explain what her role is with PTO and I know that we have her complete support, even when the PTO votes on things that she doesn't agree with, so I guess I have it pretty good.
Our By Laws state that the Principal is part of the Executive Board but no other specifics. We work under the schools umbrella so what she says pretty much goes. We have the problem now that our Principal asked for a date change for elections last year which was voted and approved by the membership but now we have parents complaining that it wasnt legal. She also cancelled our Spring Carnival last year over some other issues at the last minute and we lost money. The Principal has admitted very quietly that these were her decisions but not loudly enough to take complete reponsibility which makes the elected Officers look like we tried to pull a fast one. So much so that tomorrow I intend to give my resignation. I cant stand the thought that someone will not take responsibility for their decisions and I have lost a lot of respect for this woman.
I do believe as the schools admistrator the Principal should take on an active role and pretty much act as peacekeeper if needed but the main ideas and decisions should be with the Officers who can confer with her if the situation is out of the usual relm of things. Maybe you should ask her what decisions she wants to make and she can let everyone know what her role is. Good luck!!
Our bylaws lay out what our Principal's role is in our group.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
I'm so confused and need help. At our last PTO meeting, I had a few parents not happy about how our nomination/elections were done. They were done mostly according to our By-Laws, but on accident the notification didn't get sent out in our bi-weekly newsletter. These parents were furious about this and came to the PTO meeting wanting to push the Principal out. They also accused the Board of being untrustworthy. I am upset by this. I have been PTO President for 2 years. I do it for the kids.
I've been trying to look back to see when things changed and what made things change. I have been told that the Principal is part of the problem, she can be brutally honest and that bothers people. I don't know what to do.
How much of a role should the Principal have? She doesn't make decisions, but sometimes I don't get a chance to reply before she answers the questions and at the same time most of the questions asked are for her. Please advice.
