Perhaps the world doesn't revolve around PTOers but this site designed for avid parent group fans kinda does. That is why I keep checking on here. That is why it has so many posts. My husband likes a certian fishing forum. I don't like fishing that much, but I do not go to their forum and tell them that they are silly for posting on it, I just don't go on there at all.

Parent groups are important part of our school systems today. They keep up morale, volunteerism, and advacate for our children in some form or fashion. Even if it is just making sure the popcorn is popped for a special reward.

Sandy, I see where the conflict lies. Have you ever been to a SBDM meeting? Does the parent rep/prez bring PTO business in it. Maybe she/he can change mind frames and do what he/she was nominated to do for each organization.

As for the inusurance. Shouldn't your school board be making those decisions? Our SBDM can recommend but the school board makes the ultimate decisions on those things.

then WHY is the PTO President on the board of the schools “site-based” committee?

I agree that could be, sorry, can be a conflict of intrest but the Principal must not think that way.
Re Bond issues: we never hear anything about this until it's too late. I would love to have someone come and talk to us ABOUT the issues. We did met a lady that works on the state level for the colalition for charter schools and would be willing to speak to our group when needed.

To the SICK OF THIS people....belonging to the PTO has giving me more to my life as a stay at home Mother. Yes, sometime we seem to take issues, situations, concerns, etc. a little more to heart than a regular volunteer but we are also the parents that the Principal remembers and gets to know on a personnal basis. How personnal? I attented the funeral for the sister of my principal. Her and her husband sent my family flowers when we had a death in our family. I help because it's better than watching Jerry Springer and Dr. Phil, I worry about Sandy in Texas, mom24kids, Dave P. and others that post because I care. I am the mother of five great children 12,7,5,3, 19 months and my husband works a lot in retail so I don't tend to talk to many adults, this is my release. You bet I have a life and PTO enhanses it.

Tim and the great people at PTO Today set up a great forum for us to come to and say "You won't believe thing BUT...." or " HELP! Were do I get donations for _____?" It's like a great coffee shop to come and share, just have to supply your own caffiene buzz!

Want to talk more, log in. Only takes a couple minutes.

Sick of This,

I think you should get your head out of the clouds and come down off your soapbox. If you took off your rose colored glasses, all is not going well across the nation. Maybe for your school everything is peachy fine, but I can relate to what Sandy is saying.

It's people like you who think, "if it ain't broken don't fixit", "that's what/how we've been doing things for years", "we're just VOLUNTEERS, why don't need to follow rules, protocol, procedures, laws, etc.". If everything is great, why are our kids failing in the schools across the nation?

If you don't know there's a problem, how can you fix it? If you don't address & identify the problem, how can you find solutions to fix it?

I commend you for your volunteerism, it seems you are on the right track. And yes, the world does not revolve around the PTO, but that's where the money is at, and that's what makes the world go around.

My opinion is that you are on a witch hunt and nothing we say or do in this forum is going to change that.

While I suppose anything is possible, I find it hard to believe the PTO is part of some giant town-wide conspiracy. I've been involved PTOs for 7 years and in various roles. And, dare I say it?... the PTO is not the center of the universe around which all revolves.

I personally belong to two PTOs and I've held various offices and roles. Additionally I have sometimes served on campus advisory committees, participated in district advisory committees, attended school board meetings, had input into our districts' technology plan, supported and campaigned for the school bond issue, volunteered in my child's classroom, and assisted with field trips and events.

I do all these things because I'm a PARENT, not because I'm a PTO member. (And I have a whole other list of responsibilities as a working professional and community member.)

When I was president, I made a good faith effort (as an untrained volunteer, mind you) to keep the roles separate when necessary. Can I swear we never spoke favorably about the bond issue during a meeting I led? No. But I can promise you that if we did, it wasn't an attempt to coerce others and undermine democracy as we know it.

For goodness sake, they are a group a parents donating their time and energies at meeting. They make wise and sometimes not-as-wise decisions, but generally from good intent.

My suggestion is that you either get involved CONSTRUCTIVELY or just leave them alone. This crusade you seem intent on starting is pointless.

Anyway….I have been thinking, if the PTO doesn’t “get involved with the school making decisions” then WHY is the PTO President on the board of the schools “site-based” committee?

Can some one interpret that for me?

And another thought that sticks in my mind is:

How can a board PTO board member bring all that political info. to the meeting and pass it our to the others, (it was obviously on the agenda to do so) when it is her husband who is the chairman for the political campaign….. AND just happens to own the insurance co. that holds policies with our ISD? It seems to me if the bond calls for 50 million dollars (TAX PAYERS!) to build new schools, make major improvements, and buy tons of computers (6 per class in elementary) wouldn’t the Insurance company stand to make a TON – O – BUCKS to insure the new stuff? Not a good thought.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Sandy in texas