I am the vice president of of the pta in our school.This is my first year and i am considering it to be my last.The principal is the reason.She will turn down almost every idea that is proposed and i heard "through the grapevine" that she used the school's petty cash for "new curtains" for her office.Meanwhile she refuses to have cap and gown graduations for the kindergarden class because she says there is not enough money.Our School didn't even have class pictures this year!!! the worst part is that nobody will bump heads with her because she is the City's commisioner's aunt.Everyone says that she has him to back her up...It all seems so unfair to me....I really am very upset about this whole situation..can anyone offer me some advice please???????

I can see by your post how upset you are...Our school does not have cap and gown graduations for KDG either...not for the same reasons (our super feels that it takes away from true graduation). As far as the principal using petty cash to purchase new curtains...as much as we might disagree with how they choose to spend this money as long as it is used for the school there really isn't anything anyone can do...they do have to account for all monies used from the account. Now maybe I'm mistaken here but what does the city commisioner have to do with the school system? I know that the school board/superintendant really do not having anything to do with city politics. You might remind all the people who are passing along the heresay info that the office of city commisioner is an ELECTED position....enough said on that. The best place to take your questions is a school board meeting, believe me principal's hate to be brought up there and it is your right as a parent...it is all checks and balances here. Don't give up on your PTO position it does not seem to me that it would help any if you were no longer involved...your problem lies within the school system not the pto...good luck on your decisions:)

thank you for the suggestion i had thought about doing that but how does one approach a board with such a delicate matter??? I mean i really wouldn't want to be enemies with this woman if i am the pta vice president i will need her support in some aspect right??Taking her to a board meeting would probably make her hate me!!! Then she would really give us all a harder time doing things....Even the teachers dislike her but they won't say anything because "she's the boss" they say.She won't even let them make Phone calls from the office for pete's sake!
I would really like to make changes in our system and promote new programs that i know the kids would benefit from , but i'm certain she will decline most of my ideas.Should i propose them to her ,wait to be declined , then complain to the board???Or should i just go now and complain about her unwillingness to participate and promote any of our ideas? I've even thought of going to the newspapers, I really don't know which way to handle this would be best....Any ideas???

Hi again,
First and foremost talk with the principal, tell her your concerns and if she still is not willing to compromise on at least some of your issues then you need to call your board of education and asked to be placed on their agenda...if you do get put on the agenda only state the facts no heresay will be acknowledged. If they won't put you on the agenda you can still go to the meeting and usually at the end they have an "open forum" you'll then be given the chance to speak your mind. As far as the teahers are concerned they really shouldn't be airing their problems with the principal with any parent/parent group...it only adds fuel to the fire. You really need to talk rationally with your principal and not take the you won't do this kind of attitude, if you can find out what her expectations of the PTO are and let her know what your's is perhaps you can find some middle ground...please realize you can never win every fight and compromise is not losing. As far as going to the newspapers in my opinion that would be a big mistake you cannot drag this through the mud until all avenues have been tried. From your first post it does not seem that this principal has neglected her duties or harmed the children...she may have issues with the pto that need to be worked out and also her staff but that is not a newspaper story. By not following the proper channels you will back this woman ino a wall and probably end up doing great damage to your pto...principals do have the right to not allow your pto to operate from the school ie; no events...no distribution of fundraisers...etc. Please think rationally before you make your decisions...good luck:)

Personally I agree with Chrystal. So you're sure you're not relying on rumors or hearsay, speak w/the principal directly. If you do it from the standpoint that you'd like to hear her reasons for things she's "shot down", then it should go OK.

I myself don't think cap & gown kdgtn graduation is that big a deal. We had caps only & a party & I thought that was fine!

Good luck!

Oh...one more thing I forgot to mention in my second answer to this post...You mention that you would like to make changes with the system and promote new programs...are you speaking of the educational process or new fun PTO stuff for the kids? In most districts PTO's do not have any say when it comes to cirruculum...If that is the type of changes you are hoping for I can understand why the Principal would have a problem with it. All districts choose their own educational materials and subjects based on many different factors not by PTO influence. If you are speaking of fun activities for the kids that is a different story...I still think a chat with the principal first is your best bet...