I don't see a problem with this either, especially if no one else was interested in filling the position. Our PTO treasurer is actually the 4th grade math teacher at our school. I wouldn't trust a parent to be the treasurer.

I agree, of course a TEACHER can be pres, if nothing i against it in bylaws and theyre voted in (in fact its GREAT to see teacher involvement in p-t-groups!!! we need MORE of it), but if the principals SPOUSE can be pres., regardless of what the bylaws say, that is another matter entirely and has to be decided by the voters at your school.

I completely agree with you, speechmom, about encouraging more teacher involvement, including in officer positions. I think, though, that cyns concern is that the person is also the principal's wife. Does that create a conflict of interest? Does it give one person too much influence as members may be unwilling to challenge "The Principal's Wife"? Also, is it 'greedy' to have her hands in everything?

I guess it all depends on how she handles her multiple roles and how she leads her team. I'd certainly start out by giving her the benefit of the doubt. She may very well be quite capable of managing her various obligations. And if nobody else was willing to take the office or if she fairly won an election then I think she deserves to be there.

I don't see anything wrong with a teacher being the PTO President. I'm the speech therapist at our school and I'm in my third year as our PTA's president. It's wonderful because I have a vested interest in seeing that things run well at the school. Also, there is a greater feeling of trust with me on board, because if there were any problems with our books or something, it's not just the PTA's money or my reputation, it's my job at stake...who would risk that? Don't forget too that it's not just po or pa, it's pTo or pTa. Teachers are supposed to be part of the team too and if they are willing to take board positions, welcome them with open arms!

This is not a good thing at all.

The perception of impropriety is enough to turn off anyone who may be casually interested in helping out at school. It may not be true, but you have to look at the long-term needs of the PTO. You want to pull those parents in from the sidelines (yes, even the lazy ones who complain more than they help), because something like the situation you describe sets up a real Us vs. Them syndrome, which you never want to have.

I give her credit for stepping forward, if the intentions are honest. However, it is not a good thing to leave even a shadow of a doubt. Suppose the books don't balance, or something negative happens through the course of the year. It's about the big picture...If she wants to help, she can volunteer like the other parents. However, the burden of being the principal's spouse will always be there, and will be weigh more heavily than it is worth.

Good luck!

That's a good question and one that can really only be answered by your own group's bylaws. There should be definitions of eligibility for members and elected officers.

It shouldn't be a mystery how she became president. There should be a nominations and election process that leads to any individual becoming an officer or board member. Again, that would be defined in your bylaws.

If there are no bylaws or they are very vague on these subjects then I would recommend a bylaws review. There are plenty of examples of bylaws on the Bonus Tools page that may help you.

As far as the principal's wife/teacher being president, I don't really see a general problem with that. She's just one vote and can be overridden by the majority. If it turns out that she has a conflict of interest or her own agenda that will become apparent pretty quickly and would be something for your board to discuss.