DOES THE PRINCIPAL AND/OR THE ASST. SUPERINTENDANT HAVE THE RIGHT TO =
INTERFERE IN PTO RELATED ISSUES , NOT ALLOW FAIR AND DUE PROCESS TO A =
PTO OFFICER, OR DISSOLVE AN ORGANIZATION SUCH AS PTO WITHOUT THE =
MEMBERSHIP OF THE PTO HAVING A SAY IN SUCH?
THIS PTO IS AN ORGANIZATION OF PARENTS IN A VOLUNTARY CAPACITY WITH NO =
CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT TO THE SCHOOL OR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.=20
Thank you.

I do believe that the principal as well as the superintendant do have a major voice in how the PTO is managed. It is their job to oversee all happenings in the school, because when things go wrong it is them and not the PTO who is usually held accountable. If things are as bad as they seem maybe the "higher ups" are getting a little nervous andor frustrated with your PTO. I have seen many posts before saying that the PTO's are seperate entities from the school...but in all reality that doesn't make sense because if we are not welcome at the school in a "PTO" capacity then what purpose would we be serving? I hope you get all of this settled quickly for the sake of the kids and that the grown-ups involved don't spoil it for them...regardless who is right or wrong hopefully you all agree that the work you do at the school for the kids is what it's all about:)

The question was .. do they have the right to not allow fair due process of a PTO officer...in other words..pass judgement without acknowledging supporting evidence and discharging an officer without letting a fair hearing and/or executive meeting take place. also, without any other officer knowing why they are doing such.

The answer is no in most cases. Only if the principal was the president of the board (which is not legal in our charter) could this possible happen. If you have a charter that has been in effect and used the rules should be stated in it how to remove officers. The PTO is a seperate group not legally answerable to the staff or district. They do not have to let you send things home with the kids, hold meetings in the school, or even volunteer in classes. Obviously this would make the job of existing for the kids, to make the school a better place just about impossible. On the flip side,the PTO is not an organization run under their jurisdiction that is allowed to exist if found in favor with the 'establishment'. The should not have the power to remove anyone. All matters should be brought before the memebership to be heard and voted on with prior notice given to all. The only votes then would be from the membership, which the principal may be one-meaning one vote. The only way I can see your situation happening is that somewhere the power was given to the principal to decide for the PTO instead of the other way around. Our PTO stands accountable for all we do and answers to the principal when things go a little askew, but we make it right and don't allow the principal to take OUR fall.

I'd say gifford has it right. If you're going to have a PTO then you need to work with the school. You need to use school rooms, the school newsletter, teachers and everything else. So you have to cooperate together. If you want to push for rights and things, then they might just say you can't use any school facilities and things.

Our principal does not have the right to remove an officer. Under our by-laws, the principal should first discuss issue with the person involved. If this doesn't resolve the issue, then it needs to be brought to the general membership for discussion/voting. We always listen to the needs of our principal, but sometimes an officer/president will need to make a tough decision that is in the best interest of the PTO that may not go along with the needs of the principal.