I haven't seen this issue addressed on the boards and am hoping for some help. Our present board consists of our president (a school employee), VP, treasurer, and secretary. We have only 4 meetings scheduled for the year (Oct, Jan, Mar, May) and so far only the president and one other officer ever bother to show up for the meetings. The secretary hasn't made any of the meetings this year. We have not had elections for over 4 years although a couple of parents have brought it up each year. Our by-laws call for annual elections. The principal is no help in this case as she is covertly running the PTO, to the point that she appointed officers and they look to her for all answers to questions at meetings. She also will not allow any fundraisers that she has not approved. By-laws are not being followed at all. The parents have no say in the budget process -- last year we were presented at the May meeting with an already approved budget. (Our by-laws say that Roberts' Rules should be followed). Needless to say that attendance at our meetings is ridiculously low and our fundraisers have dropped off by more than 35% in the last 4 years despite an increase of 160+ students to our school. Parents have complained to our school board and been told that the PTO is an independent organization and they do not control it. Although we do not believe that money is missing, it is not reported clearly so we cannot be sure. Only board members' ideas are ever considered and it is completely frustrating to general members that we are constantly ignored, even though we are the ones raising the funds for our PTO. There is a group of parents who would like to see changes occur, but most are intimidated by the principal. Since our school administration will not take action, there are never any elections to allow the general members to take action, and our board thinks everything is just fine, what recourse do the general members have? Is there some legal body to complain to? What legal actions can we take against the present board? I know most responses are going to be sit back and wait, but I've been doing that for 4 years and things have just gotten worse so give me something constructive to work with, Please!

It seems to me that a grassroots effort by you and the group of parents you are know that are also disappointed in the PTO is in order. If participation in fundraisers drastically dropped immediately (which would be your group's goal), the PTO would be significantly weakened. At that point, the principal would have to be more amenable to a re-organization because of how dependent the school actually is in accessing the PTO funds. In other words, money talks, so organize an effort to cut the PTO off at the knees.

Well, we have started to boycott the fundraisers. The problem is that enough parents don't want to impact their children's fieldtrips, assemblies, etc. that they don't want to go along with that. Our principal has also "confiscated" several of our fundraisers, such as donations from local businesses and the clipandsave fundraisers, by having those checks sent directly to the school's account for student activities -- she has sole discretionary spending on this account. As I said, fundraisers are already down 35% and student body has increased by 25% during the same time period. It is significantly impacting funding already, but there are still no signs of the current board changing anything.

What about appealing to the Superintendent of schools in your county?

Already there. Her response was that PTO was outside the realm of the school district since they are independently incorporated and we need to take it up with the school principal. Imagine our frustration at hearing that -- basically, the school administration (school board/superintendent) doesn't want to address the issue. Our school gets good scores so they don't want to mess with the principal. Our standpoint is that she is a control freak who is micromanaging the PTO to the point where parents have no say in anything, except for the board who mostly work at the school as aides. We feel that if we had a strong PTO board who would stand up to her, things would be very different at our school. Mostly, I feel bad for our kids because the things that other schools are able to do that make elementary school so enjoyable just aren't allowed at our school -- no family nights, no rollerskating parties, no 6th grade graduation, no kindergarten field trip, etc. Basically, anything that is fun and might make school enjoyable and make the kids want to go is not allowed.

It is so frustrating--been there--Thankfully our president who has a horrible personality and is cotrolling and does not see to take on new ideas is leaving the school this year. She has run nice events but with little help because of her personality. So yes I waited. We intend to ask for classroom parent representatives(maybe a couple of parents of boys and a couple of parents of girls) We are trying to get a copy of the BY LAWS --with that said, is it possible to send out anonymous memos to the families on the qt. ? Please return to your teacher with a comment..Ask questions like are you happy with the way the PTO runs events? Would you like to see more such as, Bingo night etc.. Please give any ideas or changes you would like to see.
The increase in enrollment may suggest that parents/families have no clue ---these days both parents work or are single. Maybe new to the system so a way to get to the parents maybe better than just going after the PTO. Then HOPEFULLY, once you have responses of changes wanted or needs met than go to the principal and PTO and say LOOK this is what we need to do --parents have spoken!