Okay, I'm going to speak for the other side for a moment.

While the mug shot showing was in poor taste (and could be gossip - maybe he showed to verify this is definitely the same person. We don't know the size of the city/town. There might be thousands or only a few hundred people to distinguish by name only and that could be difficult.) We do not know what the conviction was for. I think that the principal may have had a reason for going to the Board. The governing body should be aware of the criminal record if it in any way could cause issue should this mom ever take a position of authority within the PTO. I.E. maybe it's a petty theft conviction, yes she's a great person to volunteer to help, but do you want her in charge of holding products, running fundraisers, etc.

Yes, she has been convicted & is in her punishment stage from the Court now. However, are any of you aware of the recidivism rate? The PTO Board has the responsiblity to care for (guard) the assets it collects for their specific purposes. The principal may have wanted them to be aware of this before she was voted/allowed/nominated into a position where the conviction is an issue. Again, by going to the PTO Board the prinipal was informing the governing body, not gossiping.

Remember, his/her credibility is also on the line. I know that if we had a parent convicted of theft and was on our Board while the principal was aware of it, I would be quite upset. Our Board members are the Chair of committees & usually are the ones who deal with our assets.

It states

The mom has resigned in person to the president

I read that as this mom was a Board Member (position of authority) which she is resigning. I did not take this to mean she was banned from all PTO events.

I agree with CrewChief (which I usually do - love reading your responses by the way!); but we need to be thinking in terms of the full scope of what the PTO does. If you look at the Probation Order, it may read that the person in question cannot hold jobs with certain responsibilities. (Yes, that does happen.)

If I had to put myself in that PTO Board's shoes, I would thank the principal for the information. I would then look at the crime and decide what avenues would be appropriate for mom to be involved.

Okay, so it doesn't involve CSC, Abuse, Theft what could that leave Drugs? Now what? Do we allow someone with a drug problem to mentor and roll model for our children?

M'smom, I don't envy you. I hope that your PTO is able to find a place and maybe even help mom to become a better person.

M'smom,

First you asked, what are you required to do by law: if the offense of this mother WAS NOT anything offensive,abusive,pedifiliac,etc... to children, then by law; you are required to give her life(let her live hers for her kids), liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Not to mention some others, freedom of speech, press,religion, etc.....

And you must think w/ wisdom and knowledge: "what was the purpose of the principal sharing this info?? Even to go as far as showing the mug shot?? (couldn't get more humiliating than that!!) If the reason has NOTHING to do w/ fear and/or safety of the children, then it was just plain gossip!! And fear can be dismissed w/facts and/or safety percautions for those crimes of "money".

Gossip, is ANYTHING said, written about, or exchanged info. on a PERSON, ADULT OR CHILD, that IS NOT lifting them up, praising them, or speaking with RESPECT, ("manners")!!!!

Then, think about the affects something like this (gossip) will have on that mom's child. Let's step back and minute and look at the innocent!! Though the child may not know of this mom's past, he/she will know that she is no longer coming to his events, plays, fund-raisers, field-trips, or even just a surprise bc I love you and want to know about your feeling throughout the day LUNCH!! And bc child not knowing the "real" reason, will do the most common thing; and think, "did I do something to upset mom, is she mad at me, why isn't she here, she just doesn't care so I'll start getting into trouble and she'll have to come then, etc....,etc....

These are only the facts listed here. No doubt, if her crime put a child in danger in ANY abusive way, then please find out what your civil duties are to protect the children. It really doesn't need to be discussed in this thread bc chances are: those measures already took place; anyone who works in facility who oversees the daily activities and the welfare of children ARE OBLIGATED BY LAW to report any unsafe situations. And NOT to pto, but to the proper authorities.

Last, if no threat to children, then I encourage the members of that pto to write a letter or contact that mother and let her know: she is more than welcome to continue volunteering and you would love for her stay on the pto; ask her, please do not let any embarassment or regret or even anger and resentment stop you from being involved in your child's education!! and remind her of the benefits of involved parents....chances are, she's feeling pretty low, bitter, and angry.

personally, I'd write that principal (IF no abuse) and let him know the civil rights a person has and that his information was a breech in a parents privacy!! And to please do not overload the pto w/ such matters that take away from other pressing issues that do involve efforts to protect children, promote their safety and happiness, etc...,etc...

lol

Oh I get it now, I didnt reread the first msg and infer that the pto may have asked her to resign (based on what the 'principal' told them), but they may well have, we dont have further details.

I absoslutely agree with you on all counts. If thats they case, they the PTO certainly too should apologize and be ashamed of themseleves!!!

hi no sense iam just going on what it sounded like to me and something had to be said to that mom for that mom to resign and if the pto said something to her to have her do that then they should apoligize for that and if they did not then i agree with you and i was not just talking about the pto i was talking about the princible to i guess i should have worded that a little diff but i still think that if they did say sometihng to her then they should say they are sorry for te way it was handled

seems like the error (based on whats been said only here) lies with the head of school and not the PTO.
it doenst sound like the PTO did anything wrong at all and therefore doesnt need to apologize for anything.
but welcome the mom back to help, sure they should do that, if all circumstances indicate its appropriate (ie depending on the type of conviction and school policies allowing work with kids etc). its not the job of the PTO to evaluate that, but the school or district heads.

PTO should have NO say in school policy matters from what folks have shared here about their bylaws. we have separation of church and state too (or PTO and school). just some .02