In our elementary school PTO newsletter we were recently encouraged to vote a particular position on a specific ballot item affecting school finances in our state. School board members were interviewed and only one side of the issue was presented. The PTO leadership says representatives to express a dissenting opinion could not be identified. This sounds unlikely. I happen to agree with the side presented but am troubled by this practice. Surely everyone in the PTO (a school with over 600 students) cannot be of one mind on this issue. Is this type of activity "allowed"? I realize PTOs are not governed by uniform by-laws. However, what is the general practice among these organizations? Are there legal precedents we should be aware of before engaging in such activities? Do such activities jeopardize tax-exempt status?
