Okay, I got confused at first because this seemed familiar and I had commented but ??? I had to read back and then I realized that reactivated a topic from a year ago (almost exactly)
I'm pretty sure from what I read that in the end, he didn't hold the office. By now, he should be 18. I am a bit curious to see if he ran again this year being that legally there shouldn't be an issue anymore?? (but try to remember when you guys reply that this all happened a year ago...)

Heather-
Is there a away that he could still serve but in more of a Junior or Student Officer capacity? I am excited to see a young person wanted to run and be involved but wish your nomination committee would have been on hand to make a better decision so we wouldn't be having this conversation.

What does the State advise? Sorry, no, is not enough info . I agree, if he is just taking notes and minutes for the meetings but offical PTA business is handled by the other officers, I think this could be a great learning experiance. Can you imagine how this will look on a college application?!

If he is competent enough to perform the duties, I think you should let him. Heavens knows that there are plenty of adults out there that shouldn't be officers, but if they get elected 'legally', then you're stuck with them. Let this young man have the chance to prove that he is capable of doing the job, and if/when he proves otherwise, follow correct procedure to get him out. And revise your bylaws ASAP.

C Brooks, I know you weren't bashing PTA, Daddio's comment got to me and I was feeling a bit sensitive that day. (yes, perhaps a little overly sensitive) Sorry. It's just that we're really not that different. Each local unit is governed locally by their bylaws. Zones or councils are brought in usually by a board member or member that has questions or concerns. But generally speaking unless it is a serious matter, we are to mediate and observe, not to dictate and control. I am assuming this was brought to the states attention by a sore loser?? (Mom loses to student has fits...?)
Kmamom- They are a PTSA and as such would have different officer requirements. Yours is a PTA and doesn't include students as members. It's perfectly okay though but generally discouraged to have in the elementary levels because students would then be voting members and face it, elementary students would generally vote how their parents told them to.
Heather, if your bylaws state that it is okay, it really shouldn't be a problem based on PTA guidelines. But the issue then is your New Jersey state laws. That's government not PTA. He/she knows your state laws better than any of the PTA members (minus another attorney) and PTA couldn't discount the state law. This then becomes an issue of the law itself and what is considered a contract. Do you have a parent who is a lawyer at the school that can advise?
Like I said, it's perfectly wonderful that he is so active. Joe Munier of the National PTA board started as a student member here in Nevada and now he is on the board at National and also a member at large on our State board. He's a terrific asset at 21 and gives a perspective that some of us may not always easily see first off.

A few answers to the questions you all have on this.
First he was nominated from the floor just before the election, per our bylaws. The Mom who ran against him was nominated at the meeting prior, from the nominating commitee but was unable to attend the evening of the election. Many people were aware he wanted the postion and our President did check with Zone to verify it being ok. He won the postion fairly and the validity was brought up to State PTA after the election. It isn't actually in our bylaws that he can not hold the postion, the State PTA is saying no because of New Jersey Law, per their attorney. As far as the check signing, yes he would be third in line to sign them, but for the past two years I held that postion and was never even on the account, so I do not see that as an issue, Cooresponding could be a signature instead. Now the "options" are left to the executive board to decide. This being a completely new board, they are in a rough spot. The options are being given from Zone PTA in conjuction with the State PTA but are not being spoke about to the public or general members.

It figures this happened in New Jersey !

I don't see this as a PTA or PTO issue. It just happened to be a PTA this time around.

I'm with Serendipidty--how did this kid get nominated and elected in the first place? :confused:

To be nit-picky, it is a PTA. It would seem to be he'd have to be a parent to serve in any measure as an officer. That's one of the requirements to be a regular member in our group with any rights--you have to have a kid enrolled at our school. SO--if he had a kindergarten aged child that would be OK, I mean TOTALLY wrong, but you know what I mean!

On one hand it seems a tempest in a teapot--at least SOMEONE is willing to take that recording secretary position, and he does seem civically enthusiastic, so they could do worse! BUT--I'd have a problem with a kid (YES, 17 is STILL a KID!) holding that position. Yet ANOTHER person I have to wait in line behind--let him have a kid and earn his way up that ladder like the rest of us! [img]tongue.gif[/img]