Help!! Principal has told teachers he is going to get rid of the PTO and hire substitutes to go on field trips instead of parents.
This is all in an attempt to control every aspect of the school and eliminate parental involvement on all levels.
He has told the teachers the parents are after them so they to will not want parents in their classrooms.
He is trying to divert attention from the fact that he is inadequate,with complaints against him by parents piling up on the schoolboards desks.
We pay for the field trips and feel it is ridiculous for the tax payers to pay for subs when parents want to go.
What do we do? Not Pay? Have a phone pyramid call to all parents and inform them of the principals decision? We feel everyone should know and possibly vote on whether or not to pay for the trips.

This is a battle of wills.

superintendent and school board. If you present the case the right way ("why would anyone not want parent involvement?") you can make this move look foolish. Parents are the "owners" of your school. Principal works for super who is hired by school board who are elected by you. Might sound harsh, but there's not a single argument for ever getting rid of parent involvement.

Contact the school super or school board member. If your approach is calm and inquiring vs. accusatory, then they will be willing to listen. If not, then they will label you (or whomever calls) a hysterical parent who is blowing things out of proportion. While agree that there is no argument that parents should be involved in field trips and other supportive activities in classrooms, just be careful on how you present the parent point of view.

Infuriating as it may be, you still get more bees and butterflies with sugar than vinegar!

Is there a liability issue at hand as to school personnel providing chaperones on the school bus, but parents can follow along in cars and meet the group there? There must be alternatives in the structure of what they are proposing.

Sorry--I had another thought--

PTO in your school--does it have a teacher or two on your board? What is their take on the whole thing or are they unwilling to put their neck on the line and divulge?

The center of the PTO in any school is that collaboration between parents and teachers....perhaps a petition is order? First find out what the school board and superintendent has to say. Then, go for it.

Please make sure this is not a rumor FIRST! We had parents throw a fit last year before getting facts staight a not only cost our school tons of embarrasment but we nearly lost our contract with the school district. (We are a charter school) Also please remain calm and professional while talking to the district, we have lost a lot of our supporting members on the board because of hot under the collar moms screaming at the office staff (at the district level!)! If this is real, get the facts together, how much is the PTO saving the school. How are the students around the parents verses a hired "babysitter" for the day (I understand subs are important, my aunt was one for years but in this cause THEY are only babysitting a bus load of kids at your expence). Remember the district likes to hear about the bottom line since this may help make your Principal look really dumb! May the force be with you and remember who we are in this for! (Mine is asking for cheese!)

I believe this to be real because it came directly from teachers as they were told at their staff meeting.
They have been very supportive and until he said this many of the teachers did think we were paranoid.
Getting subs is his way of showing his authority and keeping parents away from the school.
I will get all the money facts and am willing to go before the school board.
I have gone to higher administration, but it has not helped.
I know he will not be able to disband our group but feel really bad about the situation because we only want to do the best for all the kids...which we have done alot.
Just the attitude of the administration makes our job so hard. We have complied with every rule and request to no avail.
It is frustrating to know there are people out there who really do not have the kids best interest at heart.