PTO Today

I am need of help dealing with a tempermental teacher. A couple of monthes ago, I had written a post in regard to the principal trying to take too much control... Since then I have come to realize that the problem was not the principal, as she was acting on what a certain teacher had told her in the beginning of the year. The teacher told her that the PTO was non-existant and there were no funds provided by the PTO. Boy I was very upset when I heard that one. The problem was that for the last three years, we have no involvement from the parents in our community. We were unable to have elections to vote in a new Board, so the 3 of us that were on the board just remained in our positions to ensure that the PTO remained active. I have devoted numerous hours to this school and I am happy to do so because it is all about the kids. This year I have been boombarred by this teacher with negative comments. This not happens in the Board meetings, but on the job as well. (I currently am employeed by the school District). It is coming to the point that I am ready to explode! I have not done so but I have alot of respect for the teaching profession and as well as the new principal. It seems that the more that I try to resolve issue the more arrogant this teacher becomes. I am happy to have her input but I wish that she would check the negativity and the attitude at the door. We are trying to create a positive atmosphere where parents feel welcome and want to become a part of our organization. At first.. I thought that all this negativity was directed solely at me and I was willing to deal with it as long as it did not damange what we have been working for.. However.. more and more parents are being to feel the effects of her attitude and have made many comments to me and to the principal... Do I as the president have to right to ask her not to attend meetings? Do we as majority of the board have the right to vote her out? If not.... what steps should I take to insure continuity within our parent group... My fear is the when the new board is elected. that she will use her intimidation tactics to push them to the point that they walk away from our group...Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated....

I have to wonder why the principal hasn't stepped in and stopped this person from behaving in such a manner. Have you spoken with the principal in relation to this teacher's "harrassment" of you in the work place? That is completely uncalled for in my opinion. As for handling her, before I would take the steps of asking her not to attend meetings or any sort of formal steps, you might just want to have a talk with her. I would tell her that her constant negative comments to you are very upsetting and that the parents who are involved in the group are trying to make their children's school a better place through their volunteer efforts. Ask her what she expects of the group and what she would be willing to do to help the group improve and get more parents involved. She may just be one of those people who is negative about everything or maybe she has her own agenda(taking over the group maybe?).

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Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.

Like Luv I do think talking with her and perhaps having the prinicipal in the meeting or another 3d party to get down to the bottom of the issue is important. I don't think you can kick her out for being negative. There are a lot of ways to shut someone down with that type of attitude without being seen as a bully. A private discussion that clears the air as to what is going on and how her imput and impact can be better received would be a great step. Don't turn it into a he said she said and bring other parents into it. Just put on the leadership hat and talk to the fact that you believe there may be some sort of disconnect between what the group is doing and where the teacher feels the path ought to be. You can certainly say that you are finding her comments at meetings to be more disruptive that contributory but don't get into a hissy match over things.

Also--don't give her too much power. She is one voice, and if that voice is loud then it can be irritating but a quick "Thank you for your thoughts are there any others" in the meeting in just that tone without responding to her points will as easily stop the negativity. Or perhaps you can say "Mrs. *** what I think I'm hearing you say is you don't believe we are meeting the school's requirements monetarily. Is that correct?" and keep it to the big issue vice the "Your angry we didn't buy your books for you".
No one can intimidate you unless you give them the power to do so. Just ignore her attitude and soon her thoughts will carry less weight. If you can rephrase her inputs in a positive manner "Mrs. *** are you thinking that perhaps we need to come up with a new request form for PTO spending" or "do you have any suggestions on how we can mitigate the issue"....

I know it all sounds very stoic but she is working hard to inflame you and get you off that position of power YOU have as President. Don't let her do that. At the last meeting we had, when we had an issue on the table that I thought was somewhat debateable, I said up front that normally we are a very informal group but want to remind folks that if an issue becomes too controversial or in some way disruptive I will stop the meeting and call for a vote to invoke a three minute time limit on comments from each person recognized before calling for a final vote on the issue at hand. I didn't have to do that (invoke the time limit) but folks knew immediately and matter of factly that someone was "presiding" over the meeting and that if necessary would enforce order.

So lots of options and thoughts, but certainly a meeting in my book would be the first step.
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