I agree with many of Crew Chief's points. What i don't understand, is , what exactly is this donation, and why is this family in the middle of it? How has the board allowed the family take control?

CrewChief, you didn't imply I was a quitter, it's just how I feel today.

The school is now run by a "for profit" company. I believe it was originally owned by an individual or small group of individuals.
The pto/pta organization was set up when the school was smaller and was very involved in helping the school get started e.g. they provided the school directory, handbook etc. The parent body also had a very active role in areas that would not normally be covered by pto/pta organizations e.g. school policy.

Over the past year we have worked to untangle the ties that bound the school and pto/pta. This was because a lot of parents felt "we pay for that service why are we providing you with cheap labor on top!" This has had the full support of the school who are happy to have the more interfeering parents out of their hair. More seasoned parents would like to return to the old methods.

There is no school board. There is a principal and a manager of the district. I have had good working relationships with both of these people in the past. We've accepted feedback and have provided them with constructive feedback also. Due to this whole issue the relationship did become strained but I think it is getting back to normal.

I think that covers it.

And I must admit that I am a bit sensitive to your plight because my group faced a similar problem last year. Not the laptop issue, but the fact that a decision was made that two prominent families disagreed with. They actually thought they could throw their weight around and get their way. Turns out they couldn't. (some people think they've earned their spot on the Special list and other's think they were born there.)

The saving grace for us was that, while the decision affected PTO volunteers and it was our obligation to report the decision, it was actually made by the admin staff and fully supported by the school board. I really think that those with the right kind of authority need to step in on your group's behalf and fight the good fight with you.

I think you need to sit back and take a breath before any of you resign, usually within a few days things seem different than when you are first hit with this.
The idea that I have actually comes from our school board in which in their public forum part of the meeting they have a timer. That timer allows people to say what they want on any topic but only for three minutes. They are given a reminder at the two minute mark and at three minutes they are done. This would be easily done as long as you have the principal support you with this, you can just explain that the 3 mintues is it because you are trying to get the meeting done in a timley manner.
I also wonder if this family will eventually get done complaining and just drop out of sight, that seems to also be common. If there was a decision made that they did not like then maybe it is time that someone explains why it was made the way it was, that seems to help at times. Alot of times I dont think people realize that a parent group answers to so many and that we dont have all of the control that people think! Good luck

I don't, for one second, think you're a quitter and apologize if I infered that. It sounds like you're facing a very tough issue with as much grace and dignity as anyone possibly could.

Please remind us again of the reporting structure at your charter school. Is there a school board and/or superintendent? Are any of the powers-that-be stepping in on your behalf?

Wow, that was quick! Thank you CrewChief for pointing me back here. I wasn't sure where to post initially. Thank you for the support on this but I think this is a done deal.

Our recording sec. has already resigned leaving a scathing resignation naming the family involved, she was none to gentle with the principal either. She was glowing in her praise for how we handled ourselves in the last month.

Both myself and the VP work very well together and did for all of last year. Neither of us want to stay in office if the other doesn't stay. I already headed off mass resignations over this issue (I'm not a quitter) a couple of weeks ago.

We understand that our resignation will leave the path open for this family to take over but despite adopting a positve approach in all matters relating to the issue we just can't take the personal attacks and constant interuptions anymore.

I would prefer that someone else take over and help the (small but growing) school along. I don't know how to avoid this as I've already begged people not to resign. The last straw for me was a 1.5 hour meeting (max) being turned into
a point-by-point discussion and history lesson of what was done in the past which lasted 2 3/4 hours. It was not productive. There were only 9 people in attendance which included the 3 remaining officers.

I want to make a positive difference but do not feel that it is possible.