Our Principal put her foot down a long time ago about this topic. You serve on one or the other NEW both! Her feeling was there are too many things the board talks about in their closed session meetings that don't need to be spread around school or she would hate to see that parent put on the spot by a member about their opinion on an issue, or even how they voted.
I'm with you Jo until she brought all these little things to my attenion. Plus we have so many parents that would kill to be able to know just what goes on in their executive meetings! (I was told they eat popcorn and talk about the PTO! HAHAHAHAHA)
Hope this give some insight..
We have had several school board members on different PTA boards in our district, but one thing that I have noticed, is that they are normally parlimentarians.
I will also be checking back for any responses out there. I'm starting my third year as president and have a parent objecting to our volunteer coordinator's right to this position. Her husband is on the school board and she works at the school as a teache's aide. I feel we board members are first parents who wish to be involved and do not want to dicourage anyone. I also feel that since all PTO members present (usually about 6 people other than the five board mambers!!)are allowed one vote each, I don't see a conflict of interest. We are in the process of writing up our bylaws, as none were written when the PTO was established 12 years ago, so I would love to hear your responses beforehand. Thanks!!
My husband is on the school board and is not allowed to be on any other exec. board that pertains to raising money for the school. It might just be a rule for are school. I'm sure you could ask your superintendant about this.
Busybee, Thanks for the answer to my question. However, since this is not something I've encountered, I can't give you any useful comments. I'll be checking back here too, to see what enlightenment others may have...
Jo
Thanks Mightyjo. Some objections are it could be a conflict of interest when money is allocated. Is the person speaking "for" the board or as a parent-board members are always seen as board first, parent second. Being a PTO volunteer is fine, but a PTO executive board member seems to elicit the objections. The board already has a laison to PTO that attends all meetings. Just wondered if these objections have ever been raised anywhere else...
