I have been the president of PTO for the past 8 years, I have enjoyed this position and have worked hard. Well the new principal which was a teacher before this little by little has taken things from the PTO without saying a word. Instance being boxtops. Only way we found out about it was a letter being sent home with our students. I get a call from a parent that has never been in PTO or attended one meeting and was told that the principal told her she could take over the PTO. I was SHOCKED! I kindly informed the principal that I wasnt planning on quitting and she said Oh I thought you were. The gal that was ask to take it over told me she would run everything or she would not be involved. I left it at that and told her that I planned on being involved for a long time. Fast forward several weeks and I receive a request to be in a meeting on Monday with both the principal and superintendent to go over a few things. They want a list of board members, who attends, what are our plans, how much money do we have and what we are spending it on or doing with it. Long story short I get a 2 page typed letter on community relations. They cut the lock off our storage shed and removed all contents. But nobody knows how this happened. we found out about it from the janitor. I was told that they want the money we have and they want to use it as " they" see fit and we should have no say in the matter. Now the superintendent informs me that he feels that PTO should do all the fundraising for every group in the school, 8th grade trips, extra cirrum. stuff, zoo trips and the list goes on. I'm at the end of my rope here in what to do and I have this meeting on Monday. Can anyone help me here? I no longer get our mail to PTO and if we do it's opened. I use to get the PTO mag but it's even kept from us now. We have not received any mail in the past 6 months. This is so frustrating to us.

fireman, I sure can understand your frustration at being railroaded by this current situation. At first sight, it seems you are being treated extremely unfairly. However, as veteran PTOtoday posters know, there are too many facets to every situation to take any one at face value. With that in mind, I hope you'll indulge the following questions:

How is it that you've been president for 8 years? Many groups have term limits that would encourage new leadership teams every two to four years. Is it that nobody else wants to be involved at your school? Or could it be that your desire to remain in the post keeps other parents from getting involved at board level?

Things like this don't unusually come completely out of the blue and it seems you've seen it coming for at least the past six months. You mention that "little by little" things have been taken from the PTO. What do your fellow officers and committee chairmen have to say about this? Are they, too, feeling railroaded by the current principal?

Has this become a PTO vs Admin issue? What has the PTO done prior to being called to this Monday meeting to create a positive working relationship with the current administration?

Cutting off the lock and intercepting your mail seem over the top, and your money should be yours ...

but they shouldn't have to ask you for a list of board members and your annual budget, that should be public (on a web page, in your newsletter, etc.), and generally you want people to know what you're doing with the money so they'll be more supportive of your fundraisers.

First I should of said I went from Vice President to President in the 8 year span. The records are posted, they don't look. In the meeting he being the superindent didnt know that the lock had been cut off and everything removed. This was the principals doing and the superindent was none to pleased to say the least. He was more interested in seeing our budget for the year and what we were planning on doing with our money and adding suggestions to it. I would gladly step down from this position if they could find someone to step into it. Basically I tried this 2 years ago and nobody would take the position so I stayed in it. Maybe you are right CrewCheif maybe I'll resign the first of the year and let the chips fall where they may.
I might also add the principal is new this year.

No, wait! I'm not suggesting you resign. I was just hoping for some additional information. Please understand that a post counter to your is all too common here. Something like:

"Help! Our president is a control freak. She has had a monopoly on the position for 8 years now, nobody feels welcome, she does all the work because nobody can work with her, the principal finally had to step in and seize control....."

It goes on and on. I was just attempting to see more of the story before giving advice.

So, how did the meeting go yesterday? Do you feel like things are going to start moving in a more positive direction?

Lets go back 9 years ago, Our then treasurer took over 14,000 from the PTO, was charged and convicted. Since then NO ONE wants to be on the board. We are a very small town (2500) and it's been a uphill struggle. But if we have a event you get everyone to help that's not a problem. They just don't want to be on the board. Hence the 8 year on the board for me. Actually the meeting went very well it was pretty evident who took our stuff and it was brought out and the superintendent was a little ticked over it and I think dealt with it accordingly. It also was brought out that the principal wanted another woman in it and to let her run it on her own. The superintendent made it very clear that the PTO was not a one person show. So I'm pleased, fired up and ready to proceed with business. Which is raising money for our students....... however we can in this economy. I do However have plans not to run in the May election. My term is up and I've done my time. I'll stay involved but I guess it comes down to I don't need the headaches......