I say cut them off and focus on the kids. I realize my feelings about our current staff situation factor into this, but courtesy is courtesy.It aggravates me to no end that some teachers behave this way. OK--let's face it, attending every meeting isn't really necessary--but it's called showing your support. And it doesn't require them to shell out any money!

Speaking of which, how are they with your events and fundraisers--do they participate or attend them? If they heavily support in these aspects I'd say cut them some slack. But it sounds like they don't. That's called "taking someone for granted."

Yes, teachers have a job that has demands on it. Join the Club! I don't know a person with a job these days that has a job that doesn't. That's what they opted for whe they became a teacher. It's not as if all the lesson plans etcetera come as a big surprise. Nor are PTOs part of the job description--that's called a bonus--a nicety. If you don't appreciate things and take people for granted--guess what happens--they turn their attentions elsewhere.

You said you've tried speaking to them. Try one more time, if you can in an official setting. Check out this thread:

www.ptotoday.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=...opic;f=9;t=000841web page

If you still get no action as far as support goes....

I've been reading recently on this board, some great topics on spending money but none that address my specific concerns.

I am President or our PTO. Our Board held a brainstorming session yesterday focusing on staff involvment. Currently our bylaws state that membership money is spent depending on our budget with the Board disgression of teacher requests below $300 and membership approval of requests over $300.

We NEVER see staff at our meetings - every other Wednesday at 6:30pm. They have great excuses. This year we approved giving grants of approx. $100/year to each educator as well as administration, nurse, reading coach, and kitchen staff. We give each staff member some sort of apprecitaion item/service each month as well as a weeklong celebration for Teacher Apprecition week. We went to them at the end of the year (last year) and specifically asked for their input on assemblies and other issues because we wanted to offer events that they appreciated for themselves and their students. After all this - NOTHING! (I realize this is typical but want to do something about it)

Our principal attends abaout 1/2 our Board meetings and votes on requests. (I disagree about this because he spends most of his time persuading the rest of the Board to spend PTO funds on items he urged his staff to come to us to request because he didn't want to fund, not necessarily because he doesn't have the budget for) He does not address the PTO membership at meetings - he doesn't want to - and does not promote PTO with his staff.

I understand it may not be his priority but the rest of the Board and I feel a bit cheated and would like to discontinue granting staff requests for the remainder of the year.

This year we have focused heavily on parental and volunteer support within our memebership and feel we have made great strides. We came up with an idea to have one more general meeting (requirement of our bylaws) and spend the rest of the year having "Family Gathering Events". Mixing in PTO business at those events but in a much more casual way. Our one last meeting with be filled with offical 'stuff' and the rest of the time we will promote our events and the remaining fundraisier.

Are we being too harsh? We will continue with staff apprecation week in May but no longer beg staff members to come thus not rewarding them personally for not showing up. Our thought process here is to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and focus our attention on giving those funds to activities for the kids and parents (people who actually support he PTO).

PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR COMMENTS!

I really need some direction on this very fragile subject.