I agree that you should be able to distribute factual information about the referendum as long as you don't suggest how to vote. Our school district and PTA does that all the time, on anything from bond issues to school boundary issues. They also provide us with the contact information for school board members so that we can contact them individually to make our voices heard. I've never heard anyone complain about this; in fact, most parents find it very helpful.

However, passing your email list on to someone else is another issue. I would not feel comfortable with that. I would either have the PTO distribute the information, or use Kathie's suggestion.

I would suggest that you do a quick e-mail to those members who have opted for your PTO e-mail and make them either opt out or opt in for referendum information. Something like: Our PTO group has been approached about using this e-mail forum to send out information regarding the upcoming referendum. While we believe this is a very important issue we do not want to disclose our members confidential e-mail address. If you would like to get on-going information about the referendum, please reply to this e-mail by putting - referendum info in the subject line. That way no one would be left out and only those interested would get the e-mail's.

Just a thought, but I don't think I would be happy if the PTO gave away my e-mail address. If your PTO as a group supported the referendum, and the PTO distributed the info that would be entirely different. But giving away the list is a little to close to the companies out there that sell that info, and I wouldn't be comfortable with that.

I think it depends on what the referendum is for?
We have a referendum coming up that will expand our school, which is severely needed. We are so desperately in need of this referendum passing that we will absolutely back it and promote and do our best to get everyone to vote for it.

The way I look at it, I would at least make information available to parents on issues that will affect them and their children. You can give unbaised information that helps people be informed.

yes and no.
Our President wished we could have invited the people running for various offices to our meeting Monday night to discuss "the issues". I guess I could have gotten my grocery list written...sorry, just wasn't very interested. On the other hand, I would love to hear most about the bond issue that will be voted on.

I would like an infomational meeting not a debate. Tell me what the referandum is about and the pros and cons.

I have been told that we should be away to inform the parents about issues that concern the school, school district, and ultimatly our children.

I have recently been approached by a district referendum committee member regarding the use of PTO email addresses. This year our newly-formed PTO has asked parents if they would like to receive email updates regarding PTO information and events and to provide their email address to us. We send out monthly PTO meeting minutes, newsletters, and any other pertinent committee information. Is it the job of the PTO to distribute building fund referendum informational fliers via paper or email to those parents on our email distribution list? Our bylaws state that the PTO cannot endorse any political agenda. Our PTO attorney and district superintendant disagree. They feel our distribution list can be forwarded to the referendum committee for factual information as long as we don't suggest how to vote.

I have a problem with this. I am all for the referendum, however, I don't feel the PTO is the proper resource for a referendum committee to get the facts out. Thoughts???? Please reply quickly. We have a PTO meeting tomorrow night and this is certain to be a hot topic.