Oh my goodness Perusing! You're cracking me up!!! Thanks, by the way, for the kind words on another post.....

I do believe pals and I did answer the "then who?" question but I guess MMWright disagreed with us.

Too bad my group's bylaws have already been through the bi-annual review. I could've incorporated a few of your suggestions. Of course, we'd then have to change our acronym's meaning to Parents That Overrule!

LOL

I believe while reading thru this I must have time traveled.

I believe MMWRIGHT must be my daughter in the future. You all must know this child. The one who asks, asks, pleads, begs & doesn't hear your answer until they get the one she's looking for.

Ugh! I hate those days with a passion. So I believe the answer MMWRIGHT is looking for would read something like this:

My understanding of the traditional roll of a PTO is to be "the voice of the people" working with and (when necessary) against the administration of the school....

"The ByLaws of our newly formed PTO shall read that our purpose and mission is to fully advise the Board of Education on their job performance."

It seems that in some schools the Principal actually takes control of the PTO; obviously in conflict with my understanding....

"The Principal, the person with top management authority in the school building, will not control any aspect of what or how the PTO operates."

Can anyone confirm my understanding????

"Please accept anyone who agrees with you as confirming your understanding. Do not allow a difference of opinion to be considered as understanding what you think."

Are there differing "traditions" for parochial schools???

"The differing tradition for parochial schools is that all matters are in God's hands."

Can anyone direct me to an article discussing the issue???

Search Engine "PTO purpose and mission" or ByLaws and it should discuss what the PTO role should be."

in cases of
1) negative and/or damaging behavior on the part of the administration

"The PTO shall speak for any parent's voice. It doesn't matter what the issue is."

2) policies in conflict with the wishes of parents (such as dismissal of a popular staff member)

"The PTO shall have direct hiring/firing powers over the knowledge of the School Administration."

Who speaks for the parents and against the administration???

"The PTO shall have the voice of all parents. They will not be allowed to speak on their own behalf."


Is there a group other than the pto,....

"Bring in the Lawyers if you're not happy with the PTO!"


In another post, ptomember111 further questions:

who opposes the principal when needed??? can we agree it would be wrong for a principal to expel a student simply because his parents are outspoken???
if this, or something like it, happens isn't it the role of the pto to oppose the action????

if not the pto, then who???

Are these the questions you are really refering to MMWRIGHT? Gee, I can't believe a student would be expelled because the parents are outspoken. Must be pretty vocal about something? If this has happened, I would have a group of concerned parents address the Superintendant and the Board of Education. Not to mention, if they won't allow a forum to address an issue, the parents could always go to the media....

We've had an issue within our school that involved a student & teacher. The student's parents addressed their voice by going to the media. Several parents of students in that same class addressed their voices to the Board of Education. The PTO felt this was a school issue not a part of our PTO purpose and as such, we didn't address it in any meeting.


Hopefully these are more inline with what you were looking for. They differ from nearly every poster here who answered ptomember111's questions. Again, I think that you are simply not happy that everyone disagreed with the idea of the PTO not being the voice of the people for/against the administration, but that if a person has an issue they should address it themself with principal/administration.

MMW wrote: 'no one was going to take up the challenge of answering your question'

what judgment! maybe not all the facts are posted in each posting, and based on the info preesented, the kind souls taking their free time on this BB to offer their sincere advice based on their experience, just didnt have an answer or didnt feel knowledgebale to answer? but some did answer, guess you werent satisfied with those answers.

this is cyberspace, we know NOT with whom we correspond, most try their best and are 'playing fair' as we are supposed to.

sarcasm has no place in the world, my two cents. AND posts like this make me dubious of the quality and sincerity and intergrity of SOME of the post-ers queries and replies.

i guess its READER BEWARE here, especially from unregistereds (like me - BIG SMILE).

Whoa, what did I miss? I take a few days off (roughing it with my boyz) and come home to a hornets nest. I think I will make him bring a generator next time.
I read the original question 10 days ago from PTO member111. I thought the replys were right on target so no need add my voice to the mix but now I just can't keep out of it.
PTO member111 all the answers about an issue with your principal were right on. A PTO's function is to enhance the education experience of the students and to support administration and staff. If there is any issue with school administration and I think from you post's there is, you need to go to your BOE or superintendent.
<MMWright> where are you coming from on this? You sound so bitter and suspicious I read your reply and wondered if you are currently active in a PTO/PTA organization? For someone who was looking for other info you had a strong opinion pretty fast!
Missed you all and my PTO Today fix.

I believe the original question was:

My understanding of the traditional roll of a PTO is to be "the voice of the people" working with and (when necessary) against the administration of the school....

It seems that in some schools the Principal actually takes control of the PTO; obviously in conflict with my understanding....

Can anyone confirm my understanding????

And the overwhelming answers were:

No, it isn't the PTOs role.

So, MMWright, I think your comments were out of line. It isn't about not offending the powers that be. It's about understanding the PTOs role in the school community. There are groups within the community who can be the avenue concerned parents need. It isn't the PTO, or any other parent group acronym you use.

We're all here trying to learn and to help each other. It doesn't help to be negative or accuse people of being dishonest.

MMWright I think you may be a little confused, the oringial question was is the pto a place to go for things like a problem with an administrator. Sure you can go there but unless the entire membership agrees with your point the pto can rarely do anything to that extent.iT is no different than a parent complaing about a teacher at a pto meeting. It isn't about keeping things quiet it is about a group that is working together it is no different that taking a vote on a fundraiser and the majority doesn't want it...they win.
Anyone at any time can voice their concerns with the pto but without the majority of people siding with you it can actually do more harm for the entire aspect of parent involvement at your school than help your cause. Our shared decision making team doesn't need a majority it is open discussion and that is why alot of us said to start there. As a parent group leader I can assure that many of us have gone head to head with administration and not be quiet about it, heck i am sure there are times my superintendent wished I would keep my mouth shut. Oh and noticed I am not using a fake name...Carol Ireland! oh yeah my husband is also on the school board I complain to!!!

[ 05-29-2006, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: pals ]