PTO Today

Our PTA is in the process of restructuring. We are creating new by-laws and new policies and procedures. At the end of last year I was elected President of the PTA - it was insisted by the retiring co-presidents that there should be a co-president. When no one else volunteered, they found a teacher to be my co-president. As the year progresses, it is becoming apparent that the teacher cannot be an objective participant in some of the decisions that are being made regarding the budget and programming. Both myself and the principal have talked with her raising the concern that being a teacher and PTA co-president is a conflict of interest. We have an executive committee in place that includes a number of vp's and a teacher liaison. I would very much appreciate advice and any precedent on this sensitive issue.

I agree, I don't think that a teacher is going to be able to make unbias decisions. The teachers do have their place but not as president or co president of the board. Have you checked to see what your by laws say? They may help you out a great deal.

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"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

What responsibilities/powers are given to the co-president in your by-laws?

Given that the teacher has, I presume, just one vote on the board, what actual harm is coming from her serving in her position -- other than the aggravation factor?

Precisely our problem - we have no current by-laws and are creating them as we go along. So far, during our executive committee meetings we have not formally voted on issues. Maybe we should make that a practice. Still, the problemn remains, because the teacher is a very strong personality, some of the members of the ec with children in her class are afraid to speak up with differing opinions, and thus, the aggravation factor...

Well, without by-laws there isn't going to be much you can do if she won't voluntarily resign. Even with by-laws, removing someone from a board is cumbersome. Per Robert's Rules of Order, the motion must be preceeded by an investigation by committee, a report to the board from that committee, resulting debate among board members with the co-president present, then a vote. The whole process is designed to ensure that the "defendant's" rights aren't trampled on and/or that he/she isn't steamrolled by a small group of members.

So, in the absence of workable by-laws, just remember that most bully's back down when they hit against consistent opposition.

Even if you are rewriting your bylaws, wouldn't the old ones still be in effect? Is there anything in your old bylaws that would help?

Just my 2¢

She doesn't currently have any by laws.

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"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Yes indeed - so many difficulties! Our PTA had been operating without by-laws for 4 or more years. And had been run by the same two people for about 3 years. Taking over this summer I was overwhelmed by the need for structure and procedures, knowing I could not govern as had the past presidents. I formed an executive committee and am endeavoring to get by-laws and procedures in place. I am hoping to form a collabarative group, rather than simply having two people making up the rules as they go.

I inherited a teacher as co-president. As co-president it has become apparent that most people seek me out, rather than the teacher for any number of reasons: she's their child's teacher and don't want conflict; she's a teacher and very busy; she is not as available after school because she commutes to our town; she has been at the school for 14 years and is not as receptive to change and new ideas.

I found Jewel3's comments helpful. But still am looking for specific information regarding a teacher being the president of, what I understand, is a parent organization. It is my view that teachers have so many venues to express their needs and interests, and we parents only have the PTA. It is my understansing that the PTA and PTO were conceived as "parent run organizations." I am all for working with teachers on the committee, but don't think they should be president. Thoughts and history?

Since you are a PTA, have you contacted your state or district office for help with the bylaws, or this issue specifically? In my state, there is a specific bylaws template that must be used for local units, and there really aren't a whole lot of things you can change in it. I thought that was typical for most states, so if you're starting from scratch, you might want to check into this. Also, my state doesn't even allow Co-Presidents.

Since the T in PTA is for teacher, you're generally not going to find bylaws that specifically exclude teachers from being officers in PTA-land.

Thanks for the info! We do have a template from our state PTA that we're filling in. Very good to know that co's aren't allowed in your state. Perhaps this, rather than the co being a teacher is the heart of the problem. Definitely got the teachers up in arms by just having this discussion...