Roxy--Welcome to the boards!

Bad situation to be in. While I completely see your board's side, I can sympathize on some level with the PIA. You guys didn't mean anything disrepsectful, but it does look like (especially to those with other "issues")that you're a clique and trying to keep "others" out--even if it's SO not what this is about!

Oh well, live and learn!

We are a K-5 school and we have the positions of President, a 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer. I know of a lot of schools that have Co-Presidents so that it doesn't seem like one person is calling the shots. We don't have many parents that care what is going on in the PTO and we only had 5 voters last year. I guess when it rains, it pours. Good luck and just try to stay open to whatever is thrown in the ring and see where it leads. Maybe if other people are allowed to gine their thoughts and work out their ideas it might mean less work for you!

tradechi,
We don't have that kind of time. We have already taken nominations, last day to submit them is this Friday. Our meeting is next Wednesday. Also we are told we must conduct as one school so two VP's will not work. The board suggested to me and the principal we attempt to get a middle school aged parent on board. We have had no luck nor nominations for such parents.

I am not trying to hand pick the board, I didn't pick any of them! I am doing what I am told we should do by the BOE and the principal. They didn't think it was a good idea to start with no board at all! They also didn't think it was a good idea to wipe it clean and start all over or there would be no one doing anything right now, so two jobs elect now and 2 end of the year. I just have a problem with how this particular person is handling some of it.
And I do have a problem with people bringing everyone in their circle of friends to come and vote to a meeting weather or not they are parents/guardians/staff at the school. It's just wrong and childish. If she gets voted in fine I have no problem with that, its how its being handled by her. Apparently the principal agree's with me on that issue and only adults who are parents/guardians/staff can vote at the meeting.

Thanks for everyone's replys!!!!!!!!!!

Roxy,

You are never going to get anymore people if you keep shutting the doors. You can not hand pick your board, you are only 4 opinions out of how many. This other parent sounds a little unreasonable but put yourself in her shoes. You said they just picked people before with no elections and you had trouble. Let everyone decide and hold an honest election. It only get complicated when you tried to "make" it come out the way you want it. Respect the outcome. Invite everyone to a meeting and if they show they can vote. Give it plenty of notice and tell those interested in running to be there with bios. Announce the nominees at least a month in advance. Maybe make 2 vps one from each school level.

Hey roxy,
Can someone on staff man the door asking parents their name and looking them up in the school directory? This is how our school board elections are held. You sign in with the office and your name is checked off the pre-printed list of all the parents in the school. This solves the outside votes.
Who or what gives you he right to do this?- Well, we have heard some rumors and concerns and just want to keep the elections fair. Also we don't know many of our new families and want to make sure they are given a warm welcome and thanked for coming to this important meeting.

I wish you the best, I can handle about anything else but when a parent "pulls this" it makes you wonder what she is teaching her children.....

Roxy,
We have a school of nearly 500 and the most parental support we've ever had at a meeting is 5. I think we have 6 different reps that are school emplyees, even though we offer positions for 12. It is in our bylaws that a school employee can not hold an elected position unless they have a student at the school and all school rep positions are filled or not enough parents to fill the elected positions. As far as voting at meetings, we used to have the Executive Board vote on everything and just present changes and have discussions at the general meeting. You may just be stuck with what you have this year, so make the best of it and try to figure out what this person is doing and if it is going to have a negative impact on your group and the school, talk to your principal and consider voting her out. To be honest with you, we all have these sorts of issues at some point, but we all live and learn and maybe you can make soem changes or establish new bylaws that help you out.