As many of the posters here know, I can usually be counted on to provide some harsh answers, many times giving advice to "cut out the cancer" instead of killing it with kindness. After reading the previous post(s), I think everyone will be surprised that I do not, in this case, support the 'calling of the principal'.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> ...the principal has simply named her own board... If so, she needs to be called on it. <hr></blockquote>

I think you must find an upper road, one that will not thwart the organization in the end. Angering the principal by 'calling' her on it is not, repeat NOT, the way to go. You do need to sit down with her/him and discuss it. You do need to stand your ground. You do need to produce bylaws that back up your case. There are plenty of "DO's" here, don't jump on the one "DON'T".

While I don't know what the answer is, I can tell you that it would be best to swallow the anger before approaching the principal. You must work with this individual all year, and like it or not, he/she runs that school. Don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Make an appointment for your entire Board of Officers to go have a 'sit-down' with the principal and carefully, without animosity or anger, explain and discuss the obvious problem. I think this would also be a great time to lay out your 'plans for the year' as well as find out what he/she wants done. I think there must be something very specific the principal wants done, because for the life of me I can't figure out any other reason for what he/she has done.

As for the other group: As long as your bylaws have been followed, they are out. Do not dignify their 'over-throw' of your organization with anger. You could sit down with them, your board and theirs, with a copy of the bylaws and your IRS papers and just explain The Way It Is. They have no leg to stand on as long as your group has bylaws to protect it and are current under 501(c)3.

Good Luck!
OH! AND DO THE SIT DOWN WITH THE OTHER BOARD IN PUBLIC!

[ 06-25-2002: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]</p>

I would further suggest that you call those parents you know support YOU and ask them to attend this meeting to offer their support. Be upfront in your need to have their open support!
The worse case scenario here is to end up in an ugly fight with this pretender board. It sounds like the principal has simply named her own board, which must be against your bylaws. If so, she needs to be called on it. The more visible support you have on your side, the better. If a protracted fight breaks out, the PTO as an entity will lose all credibility with parents.

I think you should have your board members at the meeting with copies of your bylaws and your minutes from the meetings where your officers were nominated and elected, as JHB suggested. If your bylaws state that officers must be elected and not picked by your principal and proper procedure was followed, then this other group has no basis for their apparent attempted takeover. Your main problem may be whether any parents without a vested interest in either side show up at this meeting. If it's just your board and the disgruntled group, then the school board may have to get involved. Good luck, and let us know how the meeting goes!

Just a note: In our county, and more than likely the state (Arizona), everything with a child's name or information has to be shredded. We do have releases for the parents to sign regarding publicity, but all other info is private. We will not even confirm that a child attends or doesn't attend our school! So check your school district policies, county policies regarding schools, and check your state info. In this day and age, where children are easy prey for deviates, I'm pretty sure there is some sort of law somewhere. If not, contact your local chapter of child services to get the ball rolling.

Thank you. I agree with you, but we were never given an option at the beginning of school, nor were notified that this information was legal to give out. I remember a person wanted some info at the high school (a mother called in for her daughter's address to send her something for graduation) that information was NOT given out. What upsets me the most is that the letter was mailed saying they were the PTO calling for a meeting for June 25th at the school!! The executive committee can only call a special meeting. The Pres. VP, and me, the sec. were never notified of any special executive meeting and the bylaws say you must have a 7 day notice. There was never a meeting to call a meeting, and now we have to go and say this is an unofficially called meeting to all the parents and teachers!! What's worse, and more incriminating, is the principal is on the agenda to do a presentation and SHE IS ON OUR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE!! So, this clearly shows she had a part in it. The marquee outside of the school says there will be a meeting also!!

We are in a big mess here because the principal's "pets" were not elected to office during May. (she didn't want elections, she just wanted to "pick" our pres. VP, Sec., etc.)

I don't even know what to do anymore. We have requested to speak to the school board on Monday.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?? ANYONE??

As far as them getting the addresses from the school, that may be perfectly legit. I don't know about your state, but in Texas public information includes the student's name, address, telephone number, etc. UNLESS the parent submits a written objection to the release of the information. At the beginning of school, paperwork comes home emphasising this and allowing parents to return a form to withhold information. Having worked on our school directory, I can tell you that maybe 20-30 forms were submitted for our 600 students. The school would probably be breaking the law if they refused to provide it. (There may be some criteria, but open records in government is a big deal. And public schools are part of "government".)

As far as what's going on at your school, I suggest you talk to the Principal immediately. You may want to get your officers together and see who knows what. You probably want your Board at that meeting. If your officers were elected at a General Meeting, then you might take a flyer (that people can read at a glance) backed up by the minutes from that meeting as handouts.

Good luck and please let us know what happens.