crewchief gets it right again!!! "As far as an opt out process, I think I would discourage it for my school's directory. First, if the parent doesn't provide the info then where is it coming from? Our school wouldn't provide that to the PTO due to privacy violations. Second, we have several families with unlisted phone numbers and addresses... " our school also wouldnt provide that info..they ARENT ALLOWED TO ....and also, think of all the joint custody and in process arrangemeents (divorce, separation etc etc),,,,,,you MUST have the parent or guardian intentionally sign a paper and include the info they want divulged. and yes, ademom's disclaimer seems perfect for the job at hand!

Our directory chairman has a great procedure in place that garners about 95% participation. She prints a form for each family with all directory information on it. At registration, the parent reviews the form, lines out any information they prefer not to have included and then signs it. The only time a form goes home is if the parent is unable to attend registration.

We don't currently have a disclaimer in the directory but I think I'll 'borrow' ademom's because it's perfect.

As far as an opt out process, I think I would discourage it for my school's directory. First, if the parent doesn't provide the info then where is it coming from? Our school wouldn't provide that to the PTO due to privacy violations. Second, we have several families with unlisted phone numbers and addresses due to very serious private matters. It would be a great disservice to them to provide contact information in what is essentially a public access document.

skyelem "....trouble with some parents sending out e-mails to people they did not know trashing decisions the principal had made. The whole thing got crazy, PTA members quiting, lots of parents upset."
hopefully the upset parents addressed admin directly to settle the matter in a timely fashion and that the principal addressed the person writing the emails to put the matter to rest and prevent further such incidents. why on earth pta members would quit over something like that doesnt make sense. nothing needs to get so out of hand to lead to such actions. what a shame for all those upset and those that felt the only solution was to quit.

Clara - your question could probably best be answered by your district legal counsel.
every school, distirct, and state, and pto, has different policies, rules regulations and guidelines. you need to address your local area for an answer that would apply to your particular case. your anser would also depend on what the unintended use was, versus what the intended use was described as in yuor directory. and if your pto is under the jurisdiction of the school, you need only refer the matter to them and they should take care of it for you i should think.

ademom - that is a super disclaimer, thanks for sharing. and its true, many parents dont want to be on the list, at our school, about a third dont put their names in their, whether its forgetfulness or intentional, i dont know. so the method the others use (opt out or you WILL be in there) would certainly get more people in the directory, and of course, if parents object after the fact, would be a GREAT way to wake em up and get em to READ more religiously, the paperwork their kids bring home. SMILE.

Our private school has always had a directory and you could opt-out of it but no one does. But, a huge public middle school does a school directory and I just noticed on their website that they are telling parents that they will be listed in the directory UNLESS you submit a form objecting. That method will get a MUCH greater turnout as very few people will make the time and effort to object. Parents are just not good about turning in forms, I've learned.
SHC