clara - "I worry for my friends, they are taking a real beating." then truly those freinds need to address their concerns to management,,,there is absoulutely no reaosn for such feelings to be around in a school community...shcool is about learning to deal with issues, conflict resoluteion, teaching civil behavior, becuas thruout all of life, we face issues, there is no such thing as a life with no issues...i dont understand your problem i guess. doenst sound like anything a summer break will solve. it still sounds like a school management issue and not a pto matter. there is no reason to go any problem alone, there is always someone one level up one can adress, when there are issus. anyway, good luck!!

Great observation. Those were the issues being brought up to the teachers and administration.

The PTO has their own list of issues as well, and the administration is well aware of the issues. The PTO and the administration have a wonderful relationship which even upsets the trouble maker.You know the type of person who thinks everyone is out to get her, no one tells the truth, everyone does their job wrong. A true micromanager. But she is trying to manage something she knows nothing about because she does not come to the meetings or ask constructive questions. She has built walls from day 1.

You should not sense despair from my words. I will not allow this trouble maker to bully me. I basically have an "I can take her" mentality towards her. I worry for my friends, they are taking a real beating. Summer will be here soon and I know a lot of people can't wait.

Thanks for your concerns, this saga remains until trouble maker meets with PTO.

Hey, Dianna,

Here's the thing. We are a very divided PTO to begin with. In the beginning of the year, our president resigned after eight or so years. She was finished. Done.

Probably the biggest problem within our PTO is communication or lack thereof. We have no ways and means committee, and yes, you're right. There is no approval/backing needed before something is done.

If someone wants to do something, you ask, and viola. We had an auction last year, and it had good and bad press. Good from attendees, bad from those who chose not to go.

Based on the fact that we had one, we decided to have one again next year. Bad move, apparently. This is what started the pot on the boil.

Now, everyone feels that since this decision was just "made," I, of course, have a hidden agenda, myself. My thought was just to stick as close to the status quo, but to tweak it to build community (yay), get more bang for our buck and hopefully eliminate the need for superfluous fundraisers.

We have the opportunity (or allowed) to do three fundraisers per year. This is the only one we have committed to doing so far next year.

Does that answer your question? Yes, I know it sounds odd, but welcome to our PTO. God love them, they mean nothing but the best, I truly believe that, but I think their methods could use a little help.

clara - "She consistenly wants things removed from the cafeteria, ciriculum, playground and classroom"
it is clear you have issues needing addressing by school management, as not one thing above, is a PTO issue.
PTOs do not manage any of above areas, at least from what i know of PTOs and public schools and their respective roles. maybe you could make your management aware of these issues if you feel they havent been handled properly, in order to bring resolution and constructive aciton. i think Joan Baez said "Action is the antidote to despair", and i sense a bit of despair in your words. so, consider report it all to manamgement , and let them handle your concerns as its nothing for the PTO to hndle, from what youve said right above.

Jules-I'm curious...didn't the board or the group sign up for the fundraisers you proposed before you pursued them? When we have an idea for a fundraiser, it is brought before the exec. board for discussion, with input, and then the board makes the decision with the chairperson on what to pursue or if we should pursue it as an organization. If there is a PTO meeting in the interum we present samples of the products or concept for discussion by everyone. I'm not sure how this can become and one person's effort without by-in from the rest of the PTO group. Even our chairpersons ideas are approved/backed by the board. dianna

Great dialog here on this thread.

Our conflict is on going because the trouble maker will not meet with the PTO to discuss PTO issues she may have.

She is damaging to the school because she has worn everyone (Admin, teachers, PTO) down and for her own personal agenda. She will never be satisfied.

She consistenly wants things removed from the cafeteria, ciriculum, playground and classroom. She once had an idea that was not passed and even accused someone of not presenting the info.

There is no doubt in my mind that I do not know the whole story and at this point I'm not so sure I want to know the whole story. I'm sure there are many other nasty things this woman has done that I am not aware of. She certainly has her reasons, but that does not make what she is doing correct. She is out there I tell you. I'm sure she has something brewing so she will no doubt be knocking on someone's door soon.

So be it, I will continue on with my positive contributions to the school and PTO. Nothing else to do but move forward. I will never get it.