A PTO might operate as a committee within the school structure, an small informal organization, or a full-fledged IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity. So there are lots of successful formats.
While technically you could set up a PTO as an independent organization, I don't see the point (right now) in your situation. The school can prevent you from using their building, having access to their students, and running any programs in their name. So what would be the point?
My question would be: how can you work productively in the current system? Get something positive started and then you can work towards change. Above all else, be creative.
First, find out what the principal's priorities are for a PTO. Suppose all he wanted was volunteer coordination and teacher apprecation activities? That focus alone could be a huge benefit to the school and could grow into other things.
You say everything must be run through the school BOARD? That's pretty extreme. The Board is usually an elected group that meets monthly with more on the agenda than they can possible cover. Find out what that means. Maybe it means you should present a yearly plan of action - that the PTO plans to do X.Y,and Z and will coordinte details with the principal. You definitely don't want to go before a school board for every little detail.
The principal has leverage because he is in control of the school. The PTO has leverage because it represents the parents/volunteers who can make things happen.
My advice is to work within the system for now. Start with the Principal's pet projects that also benefit the school. Build the relationships and grow the programs. There's room for negotiation and compromise along the way.
I don't know all the laws in Oregon, but since the Dept. of Education in the state refences the PTA and there are other PTO's in your state, I can't believe that there can't be an independent PTO.
May I suggest contacting other PTO's in Oregon to see what they did? Just do a yahoo search and there are plent of names that pop up. One was
Meadow Park PTO :: Home
It sounds to me like the Principal wants control of all of the funds and what is done with them. Again, I'm baffled that school board would even care what is happening at the school, they should be kissing your feet for wanting to run things instead of trying to micro-manage everything.
Another good question that was posted in the comment section of an
article
. I'm reposting here (I'll let the author know) as it's a better spot for discussion and help on this specific topic.
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Posted by June:
I have taken over the PTO at our school. The principal says that everything must be run through the school board b/c the PTO is a committee of the board. We have no PTO by-laws that I am aware of yet we have a seperate checking acct (which the secretary controls on behalf of the principal). Where do I go in Oregon to find out our PTO rights? The admin. won't even let me post a blog as a PTO website. Help! I want to get along but my hands are tied.
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