oops = the principals job description can be found under 'principal job' or 'K-12 principal duties' or something similar and not under code of conduct.

the principal and super are an 'educator', and they are bound to the educator code of conduct but those are the fuzzy rules and the job description is more black and white.

anywya, how bout for your next mtg inviting the principal to a town hall or someones home for the meeting, and assembling all together?? keep your meetings off campus if the fire code line is truly applicable. maybe the local fire dept has a large assembly room that is surely within code (or at very least close to fire equipment and will appease your principal!) for your meetings.

sounds like kids shouldnt be allowed to be in one class at any one time either, if the fire code rules are accurate as described for parent meetings!

seriously though, ask your head of school to see the code in writing - you have every right.

see also the school board policy manual for your district - see the rules in writing for parent meetings - everything is written in the manual, its the principal's 'bible'. you also have the right to request copies of policies. hopefully yuor school has the policies on the website but many do not.

you can go to 'NC dept of edu' on the web, type in COMPLAINT, and you will find the process for filing a formal complaint if you find the head of school is doing anything not in accordance with the 'Educator Code of Conduct' (google that term on the net or once youre in the state dept of edu site and see what her responsibilties as described by your state, are. parent and community relations is among them, as is mediating concerns of parents)

it alsways helpful to document yuor travails and responses/nonresponses with a registerd letter to principal and super and boe president, to keep a nice tidy paper trail.

of course, the most importatn is that YOUR kids dont suffer any repercussions from your vocal and legitimate position. thats always a bad situation, and keeps many many parents from doing the 'right thing'.

If we don’t stand up for children, then we don’t stand up for much. Marian Wright Edelman

now this is making a little more sense...your principal doesnt want you all in room so that it won't become heated! That is the truth that I see!! Trying to keep you quiet....

Just an FYI about some of the struggles in our district, parents, to include myself, have taken a very public stance against the discipline practices of our school principals. It is legal in our state for teachers and principals to hit children with wooden boards with holes drilled in them. I don't hit my children, and don't want any other adult to do so.
One reason I bring this topic to this forum, is to gauge the level of support among PTO's. The National PTA is a group that has a formal position statement supporting a ban of corporal punishment.
I am looking for natural ways to empower my parent body to join forces and effect positive change.
Perhaps this topic is too political for PTO, but at the least, could parents be gathered in one room to be a community? I think our administration fears that we will become too connected.

You are right it isn't too much to ask. Why don't you go and talk to someone who could share the fire codes that she is talking about that prevents you from having a meeting in one room?

You are right, there is friction between the parent group and the principal. Lots of it. But open communication would be a positive bridge.
We are reminded at every turn that she doesn't have to let our children have this and that, so if we don't jump to her commands, our children lose. There is a small parent group who has chosen to try to work with her, and they do OK, but for the rest of us, it is a nightmare. I am certain that those who work around her rules are doing so in the best interest of their situation and child, but it enables the power and abuse to continue.
I don't think it is asking too much for the PTO meetings to be open and in one room. Thanks for support and hearing me vent.