Let me give you another and more personal perspective. I am the PTO president AND my husband is the current school board president. Our school community actually sees this as a positive thing. Our school was lacking a sense of unity between the school, the families, the PTO and the Board. This year there has been a huge change and a lot of it is the ability for the Administration, the Board and the PTO to work together towards a common goal. We coordinate activities with a lot more ease than in the past, for instance, the PTO hosted an all-school Welcome BBQ that was a huge hit. The Board financed the project, the PTO prepared and served the food and the Administration coordinated the activities. When there have been problems directed towards the board, my husband can come to me and either get the pulse of the community or find out from me who to go talk to. I'm not saying this relationship is always smooth, we sometimes disagree, but we know our positions. I speak for the PTO and John speaks for the School Board. Now I wouldn't suggest being on both boards at the same time, way too much work, but there shouldn't be a conflict of interest just because one spouse is on the PTO and the other is on the school board. That's not giving that person the vote of confidence to do his/her job!
I agree with you! I think you can be a school board member and a PTA/PTO board member but I don't think it's a good idea. In fact, there was someone that our nominating committee wanted to approach about a board (PTA board) position and I asked them not to talk to her because her husband is on the school board. However, I would guess that she will find that the combination of both positions is too time consuming and will give up one or the other before too long. I would!
I like to pose a question to you all. We are in a school district that has three schools. Two of the schools are K thru 4 and the other school is K thru 6--housing all the districts 5th and 6th graders. I am PTO prez of one of the of the K thru 4 schools. Recently the PTO prez of the K thru 6th school was elected (by write onto ballot after another incumbent board member withdrew). Everyone thought she would resign as PTO prez. She has not. She says she sees no conflict at all. I am unhappy with this. While both positions ultimately work for the kids, they are very different. I cannot see how you can reside at a PTO meeting knowing board business and not have it effect decisions you make on your PTO board---money issue etc. People are making comment that oh they have the inside track---and in a way they do. I have discussed this with her and the superindent. She has said that the PTO only cooridantes all the parent stuff etc, while with her position on the school board--she is setting policy etc. I say she is on an ego trip. Also when she was elected to the school board, there was another man who got exactly the same number of write on votes as her. They were going to have to do another whole election to decide the member. Now they each only got 35 votes---the other candidate, not wanting to cost the distrcit the money withdrew. A very admirable thing to do. Last year too she was a newbie PTO prez, never ever holding a position int he PTO because her little one was only in 1st grade--and all othe the old members had left.
Does any know of any policies, schools etc who have expereinced this. Also does any one see what I mean by a connflict of interest or am I way of base. Let me know
