I agree with JHB. We announce the nominees at the April PTA meeting and then vote in May. We also try to line up all committee chairs before summer. I think it's really important to get the officers elected at this time and any committees that are active in the fall need to have chairs. Can't see any reason why you would want it later unless you can't find the people.
Definitely we think elections work best in late Spring. It follows the natural cycle of the school year and you already have your officers in place for the beginning of the year, which is critical.
It seems you'd lose some valuable momentum and planning time by waiting until Fall.
Note, our group has a very large Board with 5 elected officers, some school positions, past president, and then all the committee chairs - who are appointed rather than elected. It makes for a Board of 25-35 people.
We nominate our 5 officers and try to fill as many of the committee chair positions as possible in the April/May election cycle. But if we have any new parents, especially those wonderful incoming kindgarten moms who are interested in the Fall, there are always a few empty slots or committees that can be co-chaired. So we never lack for a way to incorporate those people if they want a leadership role.
We are in the process of reinventing our pto after a couple of years with no active pto. We are applying for our nonprofit and our tax exempt status. Our bylaws have no mention of elections and when they should be held.
Would you please let me know when your group feels it is more beneficial to have elections during spring or the first of the fall?