The principal needs to act in a more mature way, but I think the problem is in the way the meeting was conducted. That's not surprising if you have a new president and she was more or less hand selected by the principal. She's probably not sure yet what she should or shouldn't do in running a meeting. I think you should continue to let the principal sit in on your meetings -- it sounds like he's determined to do that anyway. But the president needs to take command now. She runs the PTO, she runs the meetings, and she needs to be in charge -- not the principal. In this case she could have cut off the discussion before it became badgering by saying something like "OK, I think we've all expressed our opinions, so I'm going to end debate there." Then she could have asked for a motion to investigate further, or you could have agreed to do that by consensus. It's important that she establish her authority now. Otherwise, the principal will be effectively running the PTO and that's a recipe for a lot of frustration.
- Craig
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We just had our elections and we have the same president as last year cause noone else would step up. I am the new vice president and love doing my job. Our principal had a vote on the postions, but never acts like a fool. He is just so glad to be involved in the the things we do for the school. Noone has ever involved him in anything before. I think that if a principal storms out is kinda acting like a little kid not getting their way. This is all volunteer so why should he get all upset. he should be happy some people are stepping up to help the kids out. If you arent sure about something it is good to research more about it cause you dont wanna disappoint yourself knowing you could of done better.
- blueeyes0101
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Personally, I don't think it's right to EVER ask someone to leave a meeting unless there is a TRUE conflict of interest. Perhaps the president should have noted that there wasn't a quorum, which would have been acceptable reason not to vote based on the bylaws. But certainly, no one should have instructed the principal or any member to leave while they discuss an issue. That breeds mistrust. I side with the principal on that issue.
- Burnedout
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