Being a new school this year our Boards job is to write the bylaws and set up the organization for years to come. After reading this and other post on the subject I wanted to get some feedback on some things we have put in our bylaws (they are still under construction). They are:
-The principal retains final approval or veto power of any function, if said function will interfere with procedures, policy and/or the best interest of the School. -If any part of these bylaws shall conflict with the decisions, policies, or procedures adopted by the School Board, they shall be deemed null and void and the decision of the School Board shall, in all cases, control.
Do we need to remove or revise these? I just don’t want us to set ourselves up for problems in the future. Our principal that we have now is wonderful and is working with us to help us get up and running. She is willing to help in anyway, but lets us know that she is all for us taking full rein. We want our principal to be a part of our group; we feel the more we work together the less likely problems, like the ones disgusted on this message board, will happen. However at some point the school may have a new principal who has different views and/or ideas.
Oscar, I just posted this on the other thread but thought I'd throw it out here too.....
I would like to offer a completely different perspective. I have been involved with three parent groups that were service branches of the school. Therefore, I assumed that was how all parent groups function and never thought it could be a different way until I started coming to these message board. My last group's bylaws went so far as to say that we "function under the auspices and regulations of the Board of Education of District..." And at every board meeting, the attendance of the principal or his designee was required. We required two signatures on every check and the treasurer and principal were the two autorized signers.
I have to say that I felt a great deal of comfort from knowing that we were being watched over. Parent groups are cyclical by nature. Folks come and go through the ranks. You're never really sure what kind of experience they're bringing with them. History and tradition can be forgotten over time if not properly passed along. The principal and the school board bring a continuity to the group that would otherwise not exist. If anything gets a little sideways or goes beyond our ability to manage, it's good to know that there is a place to turn.
I know now that many groups run a very successful, independent team and I am amazed and impressed by them. Through this forum I've learned a lot from them.
The bottom line, I think, is to work within your own reality. Right now, your group is going through a transition forced upon you by the principal and BOE. You don't like it. You don't think it's best for your group. You don't have any control over it. But it's going to happen anyway, with or without you. What better way to smooth the transition and make the future of your team a bright, positive one than to graciously accept these changes and be proactive in helping to decide how things move forward from here?
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
oscar I don't think I would give up...the reason of being there is for the kids. Okay so your PTO is now a school ran group, no matter what they are going to find themselves needing parental help somewhere down the road. If I was you I would be there, I would hang out, listen, and wait. Things do have a way of turning around and I know right now it hurts and it stinks but be the better person and let them know you are willing to help. It isn't about who is in control it is about working that home and school realtionship out...it takes time. Take a breath and be the best you can be, you will be glad in the long run that you did!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
CuntryBumpkin;127895 wrote: Oscar,
Our group went through something similar to this last year and in all honesty we found that the school admin (whether it be a principal or board) could essentially shut down a PTO to the point of rendering it useless. By that I mean that they can and do have the power to prevent your group from using their name, their property, and putting a halt to your group sending out any paper communications to other parents through the school.
Like PALS said you might be able to get some outside mediation, but our group found that the BOE wouldn't agree to it and the state didn't want to get involved.
In our case, the schools admin and employees eventually took over the operations of our group (fundraisers and all) A few parents still volunteer when asked to but essentially it is a school run PTO now.
I think you and your group really need to be able to work with the admin at all times and if that doesn't happen there will always be issues and a lot of headaches involved.
Good Luck
We held our Executive Board meeting yesterday and basically were told by the Superintendent that the principal has final say of everything. So then what is the point of our being there? I will not be someone's puppet. Our VP and Recording Sect. have resigned as of last night and I am next! Our Pres. feels an obligation, but to what anymore? And our Treasurer has bigger things too worry about with the birth of her baby prematurely. So, if we can't find anyone willing to take over the rest of the year we will probably dissolve. I think it is far beyond mediation at this point! Even from an outside source not connected with the school or district. What it all comes down to is that we have ended up with a power hungry controlling principal who has her "bosses" to back her. How can we win? We can't! How can we do good things, fun things for the kids and families we are here to serve and who support us? We can't!
Sorry if i seem negative...sleep deprivation does that to a person.
Thank you all for all your help.
Oscar
Oscar,
Our group went through something similar to this last year and in all honesty we found that the school admin (whether it be a principal or board) could essentially shut down a PTO to the point of rendering it useless. By that I mean that they can and do have the power to prevent your group from using their name, their property, and putting a halt to your group sending out any paper communications to other parents through the school.
Additionally, they can also create another PTO/PTA group and notify the parents that your group is no longer affiliated with their school. So they pretty much control the situation, even if you're set up as a separate group/entity. The only control that you will have is of your group and maybe it's money, if you are lucky.
Like PALS said you might be able to get some outside mediation, but our group found that the BOE wouldn't agree to it and the state didn't want to get involved.
In our case, the schools admin and employees eventually took over the operations of our group (fundraisers and all) A few parents still volunteer when asked to but essentially it is a school run PTO now.
I think you and your group really need to be able to work with the admin at all times and if that doesn't happen there will always be issues and a lot of headaches involved.
The problem with you mediation is that it is all two sided, your board and your district bigwigs. Request another with an inpartial outsider, not affiliated with either group.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
