We had the same problem -- had the principal etc. talk to last year's board etc. - no luck getting anything. During our first meeting of the year, we told general membership that we are starting fresh - got the bank account and $$ there, but no paperwork. Since we made it part of our minutes, membership was okay with moving on.
I'm not so sure that you will get them back if this person is being this way. Is it necessary that you have them? And if so, it seems like legally you will have to take drastic measures. You will most likely get the paperwork back this way, but it will be a process.
Sadly it has gotten a bit crazier. Since I first posted we have had the Chief of police talk to to her and tell her to return the papers. He gave her a date to return them. They were not returned on that date. The school officer then talked to her and she told him that the date was later, which it wasn't. He also told her to ruturn the papers immediatly. Nothing yet. We have looked at filing a civil warrent to get the stuff back, but we do not really want to go that way if we can avoid it.
One of the PTO officers is wanting to just forget it and go on with life. I understand her reasoning, but we really need to get the paper work back.
mykidsmom, you may have a good idea. She at one point was good friends with one of the officers, so we may have to take that approach. Of course with officer accompaniment.
I have just been through this myself and it was a good friend of the former president I was able to call and she was willing to obtain the checkbook records as well and vital information I needed for our volunteer program.
The friend honestly just showed up at her home and asked the big question, "And what are you gaining from making the other suffer like this? I know you are mad but this is not healthy or good for anyone involved?"
Yes, this helped and she did turn in 3 years of stuff.
No this was not easy and I was worried that I was asking so much of this mutual friend but I have what I need.
Good luck and sometimes you have to "Kill'em with kindness".
Has anyone (especially your principal) talked to this person privately? Perhaps a level-headed discussion could prevail (even with a perhaps not level-headed person).