PTO Today

PTOMommy -- I would totally take advantage of the Superintendent's presence at your next PTO meeting and load up the agenda with every issue possible. Put a review of all your events (past and present), the budget, the camping trip, the student of the month program, the treat bag, and everything else the principal has opposed or interfered with this year.

Then, during the meeting, proceed as normal with discussion, motions, and voting. Be certain that the secretary takes careful minutes of the activities and the results of the votes.

The principal will probably just play nice in the superintendent's presence, so this would be an ideal time to get a lot of business squared away and on the record. Then, should she capitulate afterwards, you'll have documentation to defend you organization when you call the superintendent for support.

Sounds like some frustrating situations out there. Just in case you haven't read these articles yet, I thought I'd pass them along -- there's some info in these that's very relevant to dominating principals.

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...incipal-your-partner

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...g-with-the-principal

www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...ith-difficult-people

Goes without saying that it's in your best interest to make the principal your partner.New principals usually come in with lots of new ideas... some good advice that I often heard relative to conflict resolution is: Seek first to understand, then be understood.

When it comes to meeting with your principal (with or without the superintendent) prepare by making a list of what is most important to you (so you are centered), then go into the meeting with a level-headed (rather than combative) attitude. Catch more bees with honey than vinegar, as they say. Good luck -- hope you all keep us posted!

Lisa


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First and foremost, the principal has NO business running, voting, being on the board, taking in or counting money, at all!!! The principal's role is adjunct only, to assist and offer suggestions. I am very sorry that you have to deal with this. Remember PTO is a parent organization, run by parents and for the school, with the guidance and suggestion of the principal.
You can have a "pre-meeting", in which you discuss what will happen and the PTO meeting, decide who will make what motions, and exactly what will be covered. Get those parents to stick with that agenda. Then approach the meeting as a respectful President and bypass what was not discussed in the "pre-meeting". Just don't let on that you had the "pre-meeting". Lots of meetings are done this way (city, county government, etc).
Remember, you are working for the students, that is your focus and keep reminding EVERYONE that.
Good Luck. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger, and there is strength in numbers.

I agree with Lisa that you should always keep a level head at the meetings regardless of who attends . That yes you are better off to try to make friends or at least get on common ground with the Principal .

I only suggest getting a member of the Board of Education to be at meetings when you have exausted all other efforts to get on common ground .
We also need to remember that the Principal may feel the same way about us as we do them . They may be trying to be helpful or have great intentions but just over stepping some boundries . Coming to a new school can be hard for anyone and a new Principal trying to prove themself is bound to make mistakes .

If conflicts can not be resolved then yes bring in a third party to help everyone make friends or get some common ground . But remember you also run the risk of making things harder if you call their boss and complain . This tends to offend people . So if you take that route be sure you are as willing to give on a few things as you are to get .

Most of all keep in mind that you joined the PTO for the good of the kids and be sure that you have their agenda at heart .

Yes I will be using this upcoming meeting to get things for the kids I and others feel they deserve . But most of all I will use it to mend broken fences and give everyone a chance to get on common ground or I know the year will be a disaster and the kids will suffer the most .

First and foremost, the principal has NO business running, voting,being on the board, taking in or counting money, at all!!! Theprincipal's role is adjunct only, to assist and offer suggestions... PTO is a parentorganization, run by parents and for the school, with the guidance andsuggestion of the principal.

In no way do I advocate the principal trying to take over as the original poster suggested. But I have to disagree with part of this statement. The principal's role is whatever the specific PTO's bylaws defines it to be. In many PTOs the Principal is a voting board member. I've never been involved in a PTO that was exclusively parent-run. Yes, they tend to take the lead, but teachers and staff are part of the organization also.

One of the advantages of the PTO structure is that it is independent and not tied to anyone else's way of doing things.

Fist off let me say I hope everyone of us can work the issues out that we have with school Principals .

Yes I agree that the Principal should participate in the PTO . While yes some of us are having trouble getting on common ground I want to say at my sons school the two prior years the Principals were a huge help to the PTO. The Principal is expected to be at PTO functions ( movie nights , Carnivals , fund raising dinners and so on) . Even if the PTO dose not expect it the Board Of Ed does. I will be the first to say I expect them to be at things of that nature to show support for the school if they are not it looks bad to parents ,community leaders, and the teachers .
So yes the principal should have some say so . But no they should not be taking over at the meetings ,counting or handling money (our Board of Ed is really against that one),or doing the job of any PTO officer.

I have been on the PTO long enough to know the Principal can be a true asset to the group. I have complete faith that at some point I can work my issues out with our Principal this year even though at each meeting her attitude is worse than the last . I really feel I can learn to meet her half way on issues .

I had a talk with her the other day and assured her that I was easy to get a long with would never be demanding of her time and was willing to compromise as much myself as what I expected from her . I also let her know that if an issue came up that she could not compromise due to Board rules I would have her back 100% with parents . I even showed that I was willing to support her when an issue came up .Our students can no longer wear a mask at Halloween so I made sure I let parents know who made that rule and it was in no way the Principals doing . That really meant a lot to her . She even took the time to thank me (and a thank you from her was something I never thought I would hear ).
We must remember no matter how hard it may be as PTO leaders and good role models for the kids it is our job find a way to work with the Principal .

Just think maybe if we are the bigger person and set the example it will take care of any bad thing( you know that little lie you may have told or that bad word you said or thought the last time you stubbed your toe) you have done and automatically get you a good spot in Heaven LOL.

Everyone keep you head up and a smile on your face ,remember summer will be here before you know it !