I also forgot to mention that most of our parents and students don't even know who she is. She isn't a very visible principal. She also claims to have an open door policy, but her door is always shut and she never wants to be bothered. I know being in a new school has been difficult, but we informed her many times regarding what goes on in our school. Like I already stated, our school isn't a happy place anymore. She has brought alot of tension in our school. Many parents are pulling their children out of our school for the upcoming school year because of all the cuts she made for next year.

At our school, the PTO pays for the volunteer tea, and we hold it at the school. It used to be an evening affair with a big spread, but over the past three years it has slowly eveolved into a morning affair with bagles, fruit, coffe,tea etc. The parents enjoy it, and we have a VERy supportive principal. I am sorry that you are having difficulties. Pehaps this is something that can be addressed at a wrap up meeting?

I can't believe I am saying this because last year we had to break in a new principal and I could have been writing like you, but please consider that if this is her first year there are so many pieces to the school pie and everyone thinks their piece is the most important. Those pieces include learning school policies and procedures, how to work with a new staff, the students names, testing and assessments, staff issues and concerns, parent concerns outside of the pto, etc. and believe it or not that pto piece may not be on the top of the list this year...I had a very experienced principal tell me that and it was hard to take but finally I realized it. Dont give up but give it some time...you will be glad you did.

The PTO had to plan the luncheon because the school secretary had to have surgery. She's the one who plans it, makes the invitations, and writes the check. Instead of the principal taking over to plan it or asking someone else on her staff to help, she asked us to do it.

She has been informed many, many times regarding everything that the PTO does for the school, and she was told at our meeting in May that the school pays for this luncheon. The school has been paying for the end of the year volunteer luncheon for years. There are so many examples that I could list here regarding how the PTO gets mistreated, but I'm just exhausted.

Oh, and one last thing. The PTO is losing the room that we use in the basement of the school, and the principal has yet to tell us. We had to hear it from the woman who is taking the space for herself. The saga continues.

now I see...I have to wonder also if the new principals was even aware of this. I know last year about 1 and half months before our annual volunteer breakfast I said to our new principal something about the breakfast he had to put on. he thought I was joking because no one had even told him about it, with help from other school employees he finally realized that I wasn't joking.

I also question why the school pays for it at a fancy restaurant? Just wondering. Sounds like your group and principal need to start building a relationship and no matter what they will never be like your old beloved principal so don't expect that...it will be easier for both of you!

Bummer

Our old schools always were in charge of the 'Volunteer Lunch/Teas, etc' always seemed weird for the PTA/PTO (ie volunteer org) to be in charge and pay for the 'volunteer appreciation'

I know some of the schools (and district had money budgeted for 'Parent Involvment, volunteer appr) or used Title I money since its also has line items for 'Parent/ Volunteer involvement/ participation/ recognition.

Sounds like bad communication lines somewhere