Next Question -- Are there any groups out there that have a principal in charge and parents are only Committee Chairs? I would HATE to ever take my role back as pres, or secretary, or vice pres. But I LOVE to volunteer at my school and could handle one committee. Our PTO money is soooooo scary to me to ever think of fighting that battle agian!!! It is so bad right now that there is a freeze on the account (except for finishing the fundraiser). PLEASE HELP!!! Can a chairperson only parent group work??
Our Exec Board has room for 5 parent (voted in) positions, 5 teacher rep (appointed) positions, as well as an admin place for the principal or asst principal. If both the principal and asst principal show up, we have never denied one a vote. Ususally, if we can't agree on something, we hold off for a month to get more information and ideas and vote again.
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
At my kids' old elementary school, the principal took on an advisory capacity. He voted, but was mainly there to make sure school policy was followed as we carried out our business. He had veto power only when school policy would be compromised. His vote counted only as much as anyone else's, but I'm sure he was able to sway more than a few voters in the pre-vote discussions. I'm not sure what kind of title that gives him. Whatever you call it, it worked very well for us.
Our PTO is one that comes and goes, good years and bad years. We are not seperate from the school because of some of the bad years. Last year and the beginning of this year have been bad. 3 of the 4 Exec Board have quit and only the vice pres is left. And because none of them were officially elected and the trouble they caused with our fundraiser this year, even she is no longer a member but the principal is not wanting to tell her that until she has finished the fundraiser.
Anyway, I wrote the bylaws several years ago but left PTO last year. The principal has me working on new bylaws and guidelines with very specific details. The principal wants to be a member of the exec. board. Is that right? She is very controlling, but our school kinda needs that because we always end up in PTO meetings where all parents are concerned about is fighting with the school board, or firing a teacher, or other non PTO issues. The principal wants to have the right to say "No the school doesn't need new playground equip., we need ....." I just wonder what I should do. If she takes away parent projects, I don't think we will have many parents who want to be involved. Any advise?
