PTO Today

I am extremely new to my son's PTO at his new school this year. Here's my question. The Principal has put together a group of parents and staff (all selected by her). Apparently, if the PTO wants to do anything they have to have it okay'd by this school group. Is this even something they can do, or does the PTO have more say as far as the events, fundraisers etc that they do? This is not something that the Board Of Education has set down as a rule, this is just something that the Principal has done herself. Any info would be greatly appreciated since I am going to be serving on the PTO as an officer next year. Thanks!

Is this a public school or a private school? Have you asked her what the reasons are for having the group?
In our School District we have a coordinating council for pto which is officers from each of the 4 schools get together basically to make sure calendars don't conflict, what kind of issues are going on that kind of thing. Your groups doesn't sound like that though.

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Cindy

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"People have the right to be stupid, but some abuse the privelege."

It's a public school. No, this doesn't sound like what you have. This group has been put together by the principal to okay everything. My impression of this group is that it's a way for the principal to retain control over everything that happens in the school. I could be wrong, but that what it seems like to me. It's really sad because from what I've seen in the little time I've been around is that there is a real division between some of the PTO and the school. Instead of having the PTO sponsor all school events, they have things divided into PTO events and school events. Some people don't want to put the same effort into school events that the PTO isn't sponsoring because the PTO isn't getting any of the money from it. I will be serving as an officer for next year and one of my goals is to try to get more unity in the school.

We also have a difference between school events and PTO events. It really isn't a problem and we work the issues separately. Our Math program for instance has special Math Nights, our Talent Show is now run by the school w/PTO assistance and there is a reading night sponsored by the Reading department. There's really nothing in a "name" and just means in my mind I don't have to work the concept and the organization. Just find some bodies to assist which I'm fine with (my kids benefit from all the programs as well).

As to the board--your principal may have been burned at some point by not having firm control over the PTOs activities and while the best way to work is side by side on these things it sounds like your P needs to feel like there is someone there with his interests in the decision cycle. The good news is, if you work the system as a team, open up to what they can offer (every event our principal or AP has tweaked or modified has been better in the long run given their educational experience and experience in the school system) then there will probably come a day when they don't have the need to monitor all the activities. Indeed you could push so much to them and seek so much guidance that they may holler "uncle". My approach would be to come up with a year's calendar of events. Have a concept and plan for each event and up front brief the "council" on what you'd like to do. Give them time to work through things with you and then go into the execution cycle in making it all work.

I think this is a case where a little honey will be much more effective than a stinger. This is the principals school and what goes on inside of it is well within their boundries to control. Work so your group can gain the confidence of the principal and I suspect you will soon be a team rather than a subordinate element of the school.

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Thanks for all of the advice. I am hopeful that things will work out well this year. So far, we have a very enthusiastic group of people who would like to serve as officers for next year. I really hope that we can work towards coming together for the good of the children in the school, and it seems like the people who will be running the PTO next year all have that focus. I know that a couple of years ago they had a major problem with somone on the PTO taking money from a fundraiser so I wonder if that's why the principal has set up this group. I can understand why a principal would do something like that. I guess I haven't seen personally how the group works together with the PTO and how much they have limited events. Now if only we could have elections before the end of the year.....then we could start working on next year and really get the ball rolling. Thanks again!

It is sad when the school and PTO cannot work together as the goal is to provide for the kids and their education. I want to mirror a previous post and say that it is the Principal's school and the events that a PTO puts together on the school campus should involve the Principal. If the PTO has their own tax ID number, they are a separate entity. By all technicality the Principal has the right to request that things be approved by the school first.

Here is what we do (and we have several differenty organizations who fundraise). Our Foundation is a separate entity with it's own by-laws and tax ID#. Our board includes one school Administrator (Principal or VP), at least one staff member (teacher/aide/secretary) and parents. This allows us to discuss our ideas with the administration around for input regarding regulations or calendar conflicts. In turn, we receive enormous support for our events. We also try to support other organization such as Associated Student Body.

I agree that with a little honey you will catch more flies and hopefully by showing your ability to work together, your community will follow your lead. I wish you luck.

It almost sounds as though this group of parents and teachers are the School Council.

An my son's school there is a School Council, which I am on, which is a requirement from the cities' School Committee. It has to consist of an even amount of parents and staff per the requirements.

The purpose of the School Council is to discuss the school budget, discuss enrichment opportunities, in-school events, etc.

So even though we have both a PTO and a School Council, and they both serve separate, though close purposes, they are different. The School Council pretty much sets what is happening at the school. In that regard it is possible that a Principal might ask for certain events to be run through the School Council.

My best recommendation would be to create your calandar as soon as you can. Try to include all events that you will be looking to run for the year, including findraisers. Provide this calandar to the Principal, as well as each of these parent and staff members. If they don't have issues then you are set for the year. If something needs to get added or changed then just make the changes a resubmit.

Good luck,
PresidentJim