<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bovinegal:
Our Pres. is also a teachers aide in our school.
I find this to be a conflict. Is there any rule or bylaw which states you can not be an employee of the district and be an officer?<hr></blockquote>

How is this a conflict in your opinion? Is it based on a past personal experience that ended negatively?

I work at an Elementary school and last year opted to join the school's PTSA. I am currently the Vice President. Before joining the PTSA, I was often doing many things to assist the PTSA, mainly our Fundraising Coordinator.

At the end of the school year, I was nominated for Vice President. Because of my job here at the school (I am the Receptionist), I discussed the possibility of taking the position with my employer first.

It has been a very successful year for the PTSA here at our school. The cross-over for me has enabled things to run a little more smoothly because I am here all day, and in a position to deal with things for the PTSA that might normally have to wait until someone arrived here later in the day.

When it came time for nominations for next year, I asked the school Principal for his opinion on how this past year has gone. I wanted to make sure that there was not any conflict in his opinion for me to act on behalf of the PTSA during "on-the-clock" time. I also asked the PTSA President if she felt that I was able to offer enough assistance to the PTSA in light of my "job" sometimes having to take top priority.

Both were in agreement that the crossover between school staff and PTSA Officer worked out to be very beneficial.

If it is a conflict of interest, it is because of the PERSON who is in the position(s)of working on the staff and your school's PTO, PTA, or whatever. The reason it is a conflict is that the person who is working for your school and holding an Officers position of your group is not doing both with an open mind and/or in the best interest of the children or the school.

Please understand that this is strictly my own experience and opinion, and is not meant to offend any one person or group.


[ 04-15-2003: Message edited by: Cheri Armstrong ]</p>

We not only have a teacher on our PTO, but the principal as well. We wanted the teachers to be more comfy and felt that was the best way to accomplish that. So far, it has worked well.
One thing we DID do to help curb the problem with getting stopped in the hall with spur of the moment requests, was to come up with a request form. The chain had to begin with the teacher making the request of the principal. If the principal couldn't help with money from her school budget, only then would PTO consider the request. Our principal is wonderful in that she WANTS the teachers to come to her first. If there's any way she can fill their wishes, she will.The form has made life much easier. By the way, there is a line on the form where the principal has to sign off on it that she can't cover the request so there's no fast dealing and bypassing her.

The only reason I had anything to say on this subject is because I have seen it first hand. Not only that, but I worked at the school while I was secretary of the PTO. I always had teachers coming up to me asking stuff and I just told them that they had to come to the meetings to request anything. That was the difference between me and the woman I was speaking about above. She would take their requests to the meetings and do what she could to get them what they wanted. I personally have no problem with teachers being involved. I think the more the merrier, but I don't think they should be president of the PTO. We also have a teacher rep that comes to each meeting, and the principal is always at the meetings. We do get alot of imput from them. I hope I haven't stepped on anyone's toes here.
-Debby

I don't think it's a bad idea to have a teacher involved. In fact we always have a teacher as an officer (faculty coordinator) and the teachers are always welcomed to attend (and usually do when they need money :0)). Plus our principal comes to EVERY meeting and he is an officer as well (2nd VP) but is there to ADVISE the committee and may not become president. HOWEVER, a teacher as the president bothers me. I do think it's a conflict of interest at that point for some of the reasons listed above. Even if they don't favor their classroom or grade (not that I think it would be on purpose) other's may perceive that's what's happening. In our group if there is a tie the president makes the final vote.

Then why have have the "T" in "PTO" if this is such an awful idea? Sure the one year a fifth grade teacher was President was tough but the rest of the officers actually got to know the teachers and we were no longer viewed as "Parents Talking Often" but as "Parent Teacher Org"

We try so hard to teach our children to "play nice with others" and look at us, we can't even handle the THOUGHT of someone having a chance at volunteering at a position no one else wants....pay check or no pay check.

I have posted my opinion to this topic under another title before but my side is - I work at the school as a sub-teacher asst, hoping to be a full time employee next year and am VP. Our Pres. works as a lunch supervisor. We have no problems being an employee and being on the board. I understand the other people's opinions where it could be a problem but I think it depends on the person. Unfortunately, you don't know how a person is going to be until they are "elected".