PTO Today

What happens when a vote is called for and the majority of those present refused to vote because there wasn't enough clarification on a major issue. There has been an intense back and forth discussion on the issue in the first meeting and it was not brought to a vote in one meeting. The next meeting the discussion once again continued and Exec. Board members made a motion and seconded it to bring it to a vote. The principal at the meeting cut off anyone with discussion and told the members that there was to be no more discussion as the motion was made and seconded (by board members) and that the president was to call for the vote without further discussion.

So, more than half of the people refused to vote because there was still a number of unanswered questions. What, if anything should have happened at that point. There were those who voted for and against, with Yay's (which the majority of Yay's were the Exec. Board votes) outnumbered the Nay's (all non-board parents) and they called the issue as passed. However, the refusal to vote people out numbered both of those put together. What should have happened, if anything?

I know that plenty of people won't return to the meetings and I am concerned that the PTO is suffering for this and other issues that surround the principal and president.

Those who refused to vote due to lack of clarification of the motion or disagreement with the motion should have at least voted "Nay". Because they didn't, the motion passed. The membership's only recourse at this time is to raise a new motion to strike the previous one and vote for it.

Procedurally speaking, the only questionable action on the part of the Exec. board was the principal cutting off any further discussion. While the board president has that option, the principal (unless the privilege is specifically allowed in your by-laws) has no power to enforce such a desire. However, a "Point of Order" to this effect should have been raised at that time -- it is too late for it now and it doesn't invalidate the vote that was taken.

I thought once a motion had been made and seconded, this automatically stopped debate, and thus the principal would just have been reminding everyone of the procedure.

Or does one have to make a specific motion to end debate?

The debate is to occur AFTER a motion and second are made. "Posing the question" (call for vote) after the motion, second, and debate will stop debate.