If the parent group is an independent organization, the principal can't just appoint a president -- the president must be elected by the members in accordance with the bylaws. Your group's situation is different, however. The group is functioning as a committee of the school, and the principal essentially has unlimited power to make the group function as he sees fit. Whether he should do this or not is another story. I think parent groups that are given the independence to choose their own leaders and set their own agenda (in a spirit of cooperation with the administration) are the most effective in building parent involvement and getting things done for the school. When a principal tries to micromanage the parent group, that always seems to lead to a sharp decline in involvement. An important step forward for your group would be to get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS. It's a simple process that takes only a few minutes, and it's the first step toward becoming independent. After that, incorporating and filing for 501c3 would establish your group as a businesslike and independent organization working toward bettering your school.
- Craig
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