I think restricting them from speaking or attending will backfire. Unfortunately, they will only get louder and more vocal if they feel they are being dismissed.
I have found that if someone is complaining about something and you ask them to help devise a way to fix it, it gives them some input and control over the situation, and usually quiets their complaints. Constructive criticism is a good thing...so maybe you can turn it from being negative to being a positive with a great outcome.
Jewel's solution is a very effective way of resolving the issue. However, that can also present more reasons for negative feedback behind the scenes. Which can be potentially more damaging. Some items can be done effectively that way. But other items, the PTO can end up looking like a closed cranky group.
Perhaps instead of doing away with floor discussions, since that also penalizes the non negative parents who might very well have a great new idea. Perhaps establishing a time instead, even if it is at the start of the meeting for comments, and a time limit (3 minutes is normally more than enough) and clearly indicate that the person will be called to stop their remarks at that time. Also, redirecting the person, if at all possible, and not responding/feeding into the complaints and sticking with "I" sentences may help. "The board and I understood that as the concern from the last meeting and it has been taken under advisement" sounds considerably better than "you said that last time."
The most effective manner to eliminate negative comments is to establish an agenda for each meeting and to not give non-board members "the floor" during the meetings.
We have a constant problem with negative comments from a small group of parents at our meetings.
Unfortunately they use the meetings as the forum one parent in particular is a constant thorn.
Are there any rules that can be followed or is it possible to bann this particular parent from meetings?
These parents are the kind that don't volunteer to help with anything other than one committee same one every year, but always have negative remarks regarding any school function that the board handles. Prolonging meetings because of constantly going on and on.
