I had my first PTO meeting, not really structured. The Principal was there and I was very surprised and some parents were not happy about it. It was discussed on a school forum and things got ugly. The teachers are up in arms about excluding the Principal. She thinks we have a hidden agenda, but I really feel a PTO is just that, teachers and parents.

WOULD LOVE SOME ADVICE:confused:

Our pincipal is always there (thank goodness). She provides valuable input into what is feasible and what is not and given all of her years as an educator brings a huge amount to the table. I'm careful to let her know what topics may come up so that no one is blindsided and that can sometimes include controversial topics. I see the principal, the teacher, parents and myself as a team. That is the way we are most effective!
d

I'm right with dlf. Our principals have always been an integral part of our parent groups. I don't ever remember a topic that was discussed during a meeting in which the parents and teachers wouldn't have wanted the principal involved. Having a cooperative and positive relationship with the principal is key to having a successful organization in my opinion. If you look around on the forum, you will find many discussions of just how rough a PTO's life can be if they don't get along with their principal.

With six years as president of a pto I can't not even begin to understand why you would not want your principal there. A principal is a very key piece in a parent organization, it is about working together, parents and school.

You could also say that making the principal mad could also make your life miserable as a parent group, every thing in the entire school is a reflection on the building in sense the leader of the building. This is a relationship I would work on building not wreaking!!!!

Example My school has gone off and on with no principal at our meetings and it can be tough. Now we have a new principal coming in and hopefully his will end out streak!

I'm on the opposite side of this question.

Why wouldn't you want the Principal to be there?

The Principal runs the school and as such has to have buy-in on everything that you do. The Principal being there should be embraced. At every meeting I provide the Principal a time on the agenda to discuss whatever he wishes to. Usually things that are going on, new ideas, requests, etc.

I believe that the parents love having him discuss these sorts of things so we receive a bit of insight into what is coming up for our children.

In addition, by having him there, we get automatic response to questions. For example, would this date be good for the whatever event? What about adding a piece for the playground? Etc. The point is that the Principal should be included and used as a valuable resource. As long as the President maintains control of the meeting, then I say be happy, no, be ecstatic that your Principal is there!

PresidentJim

I agree with the majority here, Clyde that having the principal attend meetings is important for all of the reasons already stated and is usually a positive thing for your group.

However, if the principal is negative, unsupportive or otherwise causing problems for your group, I can see how his/her presence can be bothersome to the parents.

Is there an issue between your principal and your group, other than your group wanting to work independently from the school, that might need to be addressed?