PTO Today

Our new school Principal has just announced 3 months into the school year that our PTO is no longer and that she has instead formed an HSA in its place, effective immediately. No consideration or open vote was made. There have been no explanations as to why other than a misleading statement that the school superintendent supports this decision and it is only a name change.

A parent has brought to light, very recent documentation from the School Superintendent who clearly specifies support of all parent/teacher/school type groups--not in favor of one over another. Despite protests and reasonable concerns addressed by some parents, and PTO board members, we have been told it is our principal's final word, like a parent to a child. We have been made to feel disloyal to even question her authority. Further we have been told she does not condone emails, forums or blogs and controls the previous PTO suggestion box. Many respectful emails have been sent to her as followups to parental conferences that have ensued--No replies have been forthcoming. Further, there has been no sinister activity or history from our families, whatsoever, that would warrant her measures. In essence, parents are concerned, and our voices are being censored. Please reply promptly as to what recourse we might have and any advice. We would be so grateful. Thanks!

If your PTO is incorporated (and recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization), then the principal can't unilaterally disband it. She can, of course, restrict your access to the school -- but only as far as other "community" groups, eg, if the Girl Scouts can request space in the building after school hours, the PTO should be able to, also.

I would think the PTO should continue to meet -- in other locations if necessary -- and invite the superintendent and/or your principal to come speak, or perhaps listen to the accomplishments of your PTO in the recent past. Could be that the new principal had a really bad experience at her last school.

Thanks for your speedy reply, info and advice GJ!

I'm rather ignorant, sorry. Would a parochial school automatically fall into the category of a 501(c) organization? Would incorporation AND 501(c) 3 be filed separately? Aside from our school principal, who would be able to confirm incorporation and organizational status of which you mention? Would this sort of information be publicly accessible?

Any further info or guidance would be appreciated!
Happy Thanksgiving!
ym

You can check with the IRS about 501(c)(3) status and with the agency in your state that handles incorporations about the other.

Not to put a damper on things, but I doubt your parent group is a 501(c)(3). It's possible - ANYTHING is possible with a parent group. However, with parochial schools, parent groups are often more like a specialized committee that falls under the church/parish umbrella. These groups often do much more fundraising to help with operational expenses, scholarships, etc. rather than merely supplementing the school with "extras" and enriching what's already in place. And they are frequently controlled pretty tightly by the church/school leadership.

That's not to say you don't have leverage. Your principal needs the support of the parents. You probably PAY to have your children attend there. And it sounds like there is a structure in place where she may not be the final level if you cannot work things out.

Can a group of you meet with her in a non-threatening way to find out more about her vision and where some common ground might be found? If your good-faith attempts to work with her fail, you may have seek support from the Superintendent.

I don't know if parochial schools are automatically tax exempt, but PTOs certainly aren't automatically. If you are incorporated, this would be on file with the state (secretary of the commonwealth in Massachusetts). As JHB says, the IRS would answer on 501c3; you'd need the PTO's EIN (tax ID number) and/or its official name. Do you have a bank account? What's the name on the account?

JHB's got good suggestions on meeting for common ground; regardless of the name, surely the principal wants involvement by the parents who care enough to put time into it. It's not encouraging, though, that the principal has shut off common means of communication.

yummymummy -

Assuming this is a Catholic school, it is a different ballgame, sometimes frustratingly so.

I'd wager your original group was not independent of the school (most parochial parent groups are not), but even if it were, the Principal in a parochial setting has a lot more power than the principal in a public school. Broken down the public school principal works for parents. Parents vote for school board; school board hires super; super hires principal. Further, facing conflict public school parents have every right to -- for example -- have meetings among parents at the local library or coffee shop. Public school principals have a lot of control, but there remains some ammo in the parents' guns.

At the Catholic school level typically, parents don't have that ammo. The parent is in effect a customer who's option is to take it, try to change it (with no guarntees) or leave. Fight it too much, and you could even be asked to leave. In my opinion, Catholic school administrators have been slower than public to understand and embrace what effective involvement policies can do for a school and the kids. It's changing, but -- not surprisingly -- slowly.

So can your principal do what she did? Probably. Should she have? Probably not.

What can you guys do about it? Try and educate and stay involved and create partnerships. Tough as that can be.

Tim

Hi Tim,
Thanks for your reply. Indeed, our school is a Catholic School and, as you aptly described, (often) frustratingly so!

Following the earlier thread advice, I've been exploring IRS guidelines of non-profits. The term transparency keeps popping up. I realize firsthand, Catholic Schools are an entity of their own but was wondering if parents/families are regarded 'customers of sorts', would Church schools be required to show themselves as 'transparent' for the purpose of charity, contributions, related info, etc.?

Earlier this year, our school's parents, in good faith raised funds for the purpose of aiding our teachers and our children's activities beyond tuition prior to the formation of HSA. Monies were never realized toward this end. Currently, our raised funds are no longer being directed to our intended purposes or contributors' awareness, for that matter. Am I being too simplistic--Is this legal?

ym

Thanks JHB and GJ! I appreciate your replies and good advice. Our families and teachers are a good bunch--positive, energetic and involved! I believe it is within our values together that we will do our utmost to stick together, aim for resolution, whilst keeping our children's best interests in the forefront. Saying that, we don't want to be anyone's fools either! We are still searching for our constitutional rights of voice...Thanks again!!

ym

I know in MA, back around the clergy sex abuse scandal time, there was some question as to how much information the church had to disclose, and it ended up being: not much.

GJ--Yes, your point is well taken. I was hoping the Church was taking a more active, genuine approach in upping their enrollment these days, that is beyond spin.

Btw, my family is not Catholic but my child attends a Catholic School due to our local limited school choice. My family has already reached a decision, we won't be returning to our current school next year on the basis of the censorship I am witnessing. It is very concerning that any American school, would seek to control individual thought, productive exchange of ideas and spirit, in this day and age!

So grateful PTO Today exists...I have shared the site with many families from our school and others within our community. The information and variety of topics are very relevant and brilliant. Thank you for offering your knowledge and advice!

ym