PTO Today

Let me give a little background.

We are hoping to restart a parent group in an actively hostile environment: A high school that has a good reputation, but peeling back the veneer a bit reveals bullying tactics by administration and actual squelching of parental input (the former parent group was shut down), on top of that a deteriorating facility with no plans to renovate or replace it.

Most of the schools in our district have PTO's. They seem to be under the authority of the principal and primarilly fund-raisers. That's not a criticism, it is a valid structure in a positive environment.

I believe we would be best served by the PTA's structure, support, and independence from local control. I would however like to hear alternative views on the matter.

I'm not trying to further inflame the "O" vs "A" wars, but I'd like to know if PTO groups can exist and affect real change in a hostile environment.

The bottom line with a PTO is it all comes down to how you are structured, what your bylaws say, and how you operate. Our PTO and most others are completely independent groups who are not overseen or goverened by the principal or school administration.

A hostile environment if not corrected will not serve either a PTO or a PTA. At the end of the day the school (BOE and Administration)can always take you out if that is what they want. They cannot disband you, but they can forbid you to operate within the building no matter what your moniker is. So if it is going to be their way or the highway being a PTA is not going to save you any more then being a PTO as they can always stop you from operating in the school.

My advice to you would be to see what can be done about this hostile enviorment. What were the reasons things got so bad and was there a reason the school administration felt the need to strong arm and bully the previous organization? Before you go any route open the lines of communication with the administration. Let them know what you would like to do and ask them what they feel the schools needs are. Maybe last time it was personal between the people running the last group and the administration? Feel them out and see if you cannot find some common ground to operate on that suits the group and the school.
Good Luck!

I think Serendipity hit it on the head. You could have any type organization in your school and if the school administration doesn't want to play then you are going to lose. It is a shame that this is the case. Perhaps if you go in with a win/win attitude and show what you can do for the school itself, then you'll be better grounded to move forward with your organization.
Having said that, I believe our group has created a lot of positive programs in our school as a PTO. We do have the support of the Super...which of course helps but are also able to rally as needed to provide active support to and for programs we believe in within our county. I sure that being a PTO has not hurt us in anyway since it always boils down to the strength of the organization at the smallest level.

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Thanks for the reply. Believe me countless hours have been spent and will still be put in trying to find common ground and agreement with the administration. There are certain non-negotiables though and independence is one of them.

More thoughts

I don't think a group is without recourse if the school administration refuses to cooperate. No Child Left Behind does mandate the schools to encourage parental involvement. When a school is having serious problems, parents often find allies in teachers.