PTO Today

My son's Catholic elementary school is at crossroads presently. While we have excellent teachers and stong and involved families, the administration sadly, does not follow suit. The administration sorely lacks leadership, i.e., vision, commitment, responsibility, energy and operational acumen, etc. Rumblings suggest we are soberingly, well-into the red. None of the parents or teachers can get any handle on our school budget despite our reasonable and continuous asking. Though, monies have been generated through fundraising, donations and tuition, we are continually left in the dark, minus any accounting.

Our principal is like a wet noodle and appears that he is just marking time for his second retirement while he collects an easy paycheck. This is ditto for the priest who oversees the local congregation and is ultimately responsible for the school. Both priest and principal's constant inactions suggest they are consciously aware of the school's hemmoraging (sp?). Their lack of actions are demoralizing to everyone working towards the higher goals--not to mention, reckless and irresponsible.

A sincere cry-out to this forum for HELP! Any suggestions how our PTO can productively turn this around for the benefit of our children, teachers and families? Does anyone know if private (specifically Catholic) schools have to follow any state requirements in the running of their schools? Do parents have any recourse in situations like ours? Does our school operate solely under our state's Catholic diocese? If our school's principal and priest are corrupt and ineffectual, any suggestions our PTO can explore and follow to preserve our school?

I would suggest a meeting between a few members of the Home and School Board and the Business Manager of the Parish. While the school would have its own budget, as part of the parish, everything would eventually need to go through the parish business manager (or administrator).

I would hope that a this type of meeting could answer some of your questions on "where do the funds go", also if you could put things in writing and copy Principal/Parish Pastor/Business Manager it might help.

I would also suggest a formation of a long range planning committee that could help guide your school. The archdiocese department of elementary education may have models already in place to help you, and with your prodding, maybe this could help bring along the Pastor and Principal. They may also have facilitators that could help. Another resource would be any local Catholic colleges/universities or Teaching Religious Orders - like IHM or SSF, SSJ. Check out your Archdiocese website and see if anything is offered. If not, do search and see the amazing work of some of the other archdioceses.

I wish you luck! A Catholic education is a gift and one which needs to be preserved for our future generations - they will be tomorrow's leaders of the Church. God Bless you and your cohorts in your efforts to improve your school!

Pam

[B]Does our school operate solely under our state's Catholic diocese?[/B]

Hello!

Your school operates under your local diocese. For example, there are many diocese in my State. We operate under a specific one, which has a school superintendent responsible for all the schools in that diocese. You should find out who the superintendent is and bring the issues to him/her.

~Ann~