Tell the principal that you would love to help her out with the next financial request but due to the fact that you had to pay rent on a place to hold your meetings and store your stuff that the money you would've gladly given her is now in the landlords pocket... Tell her that the same goes for all those utensils that had to be bought...
Remind her that you get what you give in this world. She isn't 'getting' until she starts 'giving'...
It always makes me so depressed to hear stories like yours; it never ceases to amaze me that people don't realize their kids are young once, then that time is lost as are opportunities to make lasting memories for the children and families!
Before I toss my two "worldly" cents in--LOL [img]tongue.gif[/img] --I'm curious for some more details. Is yours a large school, or small? Is it rural, where people are spread out, or is it more surburban/urban, where people are living near the school? Is it a community where "everyone" was born/raised there, or do you have people from all over living there? OK, no board, but do you have bylaws? Is the PTO a bona fide one; an entity of the school (with the school's employee identification number)/incorporated unto itself/PTA, or is a loosely organized group (well, in this case duo) just doing what they can for the school?
I ask because while it doesseem overwhelming, I think if you analyzed it and thought of ways to market it, you could turn things around. If you have friends or members of your church you could call upon--do it!! If it hadn't been for a friend of mine lighting a fire under my a**, I would most probably be still sitting around, content to complain about the current situation yet too lazy to actually be motivated. As far as your principal goes, I can't see much you can do there now, not without support.
Mary, maybe I'm overly optomistic, but I think you can turn this thing around!
I'm the one who replied to your last post a few weeks ago. In it I said you have to "worm" your way in. Well, I still believe that and if you can convince the pres to stay, then there will be two of you worming your way in!!
Seriously, if she'll stay on, say as YOUR vice pres, imagine how you two can work together to change things. And bare some of the burden for eachother. I also agree with the other reply about setting a budget. Once that's done you can always use the "it's not in the budget" excuse when the principal tries to pull something. While were on the subject of the principal, she needs to be reminded that YOUR tax dollars have purchased EVERYTHING for that school. Everything from knives to her salary comes from tax dollars and she doesn't have a right to it exclusively. If your working (free of charge, no less) for the good of the school, the principal needs to share and share alike. Especially if she wants the PTO's help.
Lastly, look around for just one person like yourself. Even if they're not jumping in your face, they're bound to be lurking in the shadows just waiting for the chance to volunteer. Find her (or him); she's out there just as surely you and I are. Find her and grab her! Because if you and the pres can make head way, just imagine what three of you can do...
The problem comes in where there is NO PTO Board! For the past 2 yrs, it's been the President and her mom doing literally EVERYTHING w/o parent/teacher involvement. The president holds every office so to speak because of lack of involvment.
Part of me says I should volunteer to take the position when the current pres resigns. The other part of me says I don't want to deal w/ the crap. KWIM?
I'm the only member of the PTO that has volunteered and shown up and followed through w/ my actions. One other mom was supposed to bring items for the bake sale ~ she never showed up or called.
Mary this sounds crazy!!! Does PTO produce a budget?? You have the power to say no. If the purchase is not approved by the pto board you are not obligated to pay. It might get ugly, but she needs to understand that it is in her best interest to make it easy for you to raise funds for the school. your executive board should create a fair budget and be more than happy to pay for budgeted items, but anything else she has to come to you for approval. Your board runs the pto not the principal.
I have only posted one other time a couple weeks ago about getting involved in the PTO.
Well I have found out more information.
The principal won't allow the PTO to store any items at the school ~ this includes fundraising items (they have to be delivered to the home of the Pres and she has to bag it and take it to the school for handing out). The principal also says what she wants w/o asking. She purchased 2 glass backboards for the school gym then told the Pres she needed a check for $600 to pay 1/2 of the bill ~ our school doesn't host any events that would require a high dollar backboard ~ these are elementary students. So why buy 2 $600 backboards?
There is also $225 of PTO money in the Activities Account which the principal won't release to the PTO (apparently it was put in there 3-4 yrs ago by the former Pres on accident).
The bake sale brought in $85. However if you take into consideration the costs to buy all the supplies, they really made nothing (however the pres didn't ask for reimbursement). Notes were sent home asking each class for donations (1 class of students was asked to bring a bag of sugar each, another class was asked to bring a bag of flour, another choc chips, another frosting, and there were some classes asked for a $2 donation. The PTO received $24, 6 bags of sugar, a tub of frosting, a can of pie filling, and a ZIPLOC baggie of brown sugar.
The chili supper was last night. A whole $25 was brought in ($11 from my family alone). They charged $2 per plate which included a bowl of chili, piece of cake, cheese, crackers & a drink. It was held during PT Conferences, notes were sent home as well as signs put up throughout the school. Once again, the pres spent $68 for supplies.
She is not allowed to use any school items for these events. Example she had to supply her own knives to cut the cakes, her own ladel to dip the chili, her own slow cooker for the chili, etc. Even though the school has these items. We were allowed to use the gym for eating.
The school secretary told me last night that she's amazed at the parents who don't know anything about their child's school. She gets calls asking when a child's PT Conference is. She will ask the child's teachers name and the parent does not know.
I talked to my mom about it last night since she is a member of the PTO (in Oregon) but used to be a member of another elementary school here (I have an 8 yr old sister).
The Pres is thinking she will do the fall fundraiser (only because the principal told her to sign a contract for 2 fundraisers) but after that she's done. For 3 yrs she has done everything w/ little help from anyone. The PTO puts on 4 staff dinners a year. PTO can't ask for donations or help from any of the staff.
Am I irrational about this or does it seem that the PTO is a waste?
I have talked w/ my fiance about changing schools.
