Hi JNevill,

First of all, kudos to your wife for trying to make a go of it with the PTO.

You are raising some great issues about Facebook and social media. It's too bad the page had to come down. We are big fans of social media and Facebook and we see many PTOs and PTAs engaging with their communities on FB now.

Chances are, the principal is concerned that something will go wrong, meaning bad stuff will be posted on the FB page, etc. Often, there's a little bit of fear in play -- it might be the principal hasn't done much with FB himself.

Having said that, the principal's concerns that something could go wrong are not off the wall. If your wife would consider this, she could revisit the topic with the principal and see if there is a way to work together on this. Ask the principal what his or her specific concerns are and get specific responses to those concerns. For example, if the principal says he is afraid someone will post something untrue/negative about a teacher, respond by saying your page will have clearly stated guidelines that those kinds of comments will be immediately removed.

We had a a thread on this site with PTOs asking each other for social media guidance and one offered a social media code of conduct. Maybe this is something that your wife could use as a working document (modified for your specific circumstances) to sketch out a plan with the principal.

Here's the link to that thread: www.ptotoday.com/boards/11-robts-rules-b...edia-code-of-conduct

Also, this articles on PTOs using social media may be helpful:

Facebook: Going beyond the basics -- www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/arti...ng-beyond-the-basics

One other thought. Your wife may be setting up/trying to run this group as an independent parent group, as it should be. But, it is usually best to try to figure out a way to work with the principal because if it turns into an adversarial relationship, no one will be happy.

All the best,
Rose C.
Community Manager