Start off with sending the President a thank you note and tell her that you think she did a fine job. Then get like-minded parents together and sit down with the principal and tell her that you all want the organization to be successful and that success can only happen when you have the support of the principal and teachers. Ask her what she expects from your group, because she obviously isn't giving you a clear idea. Don't expect miracles, because she sounds like a prize, but maybe the sheer intimidation factor of being approached by a large group may force her to cooperate. Good luck.
You know what? I think someone should force this principal into a closed-door, two-on-one(President and Vice-President) discussion. There's nothing wrong with letting this principal know that she is in the wrong. Let her know that the PTO governs itself. Do you have a Board of Directors, including several local leader not associated with the school? If not, it's not a bad idea. This principal is the principal of the school, not the president of the PTO! It's a parent-teacher organization, not a dictatorship. It appears that someone needs to let her know that she has forgotten that this organization is there to help. It's hard to help when your hands are tied by the very people you are trying to assist.
Tell her to call me. Sounds like she needs an eye opener. :eek: I'll give her some pointers on how to say "thank you" instead of brow-beating the PTO to death.
Paul Blount This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
THe best anyone can do at this point is to just offer any kind of support you can for the President.
Is there someone at the District level that can lend you an ear regarding the Principal? I don't want you to go in there and tattle or "ask for her/his job on a plate" but maybe help how this should be handled in other schools in the district. It's a thought. Call the bank, see how to get records of the PTO account that way.
Sounds like this Principal will soon dig their own hole too deep and pay dearly in the end.
I hate to say this, but I would have walked away. I don't think I could have my kids in a school like that. A letter to the editor of the local paper would come after removing my kids. Seriously. I hate being intimidated. There is no reason for it.
HAS ANYONE EXPERENCED A MEETING WHERE THE PRINCIPAL OF AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HUMILIATED THE PTO PRESIDENT IN FRONT OF ABOUT 75-100 PARENTS?
I WANT TO SOMEHOW HELP THIS LADY TO MOVE ON AND BELIEVE THAT SHE DID ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING FROM THIS POSITION.
MANY OF YOU ARE (PROBABLY EVERYONE) VERY INTELLIGENT AND CAN READ INTO WHAT I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU.
1 LAST APRIL-2004 SCHOOL SECRETARY (WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING THE PTO) ASKED THIS GRANDMOTHER (FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER) TO BE THE PTO PRESIDENT. SHE ACCEPTED.
2 PTO NEEDED A MAKE-OVER. PRINCIPAL CONTROLLS THE PTO.
3 PRESIDENT-VICE-PRESIDENT-SECRETARY-TREASURER WAS ESTABLISHED.
4 HAD A FEW MEETINGS WITH VICE-PRINCIPAL (PRINCIPAL DOESN'T ATTEND EVERY (FEW) MEETING) AND
THE ABOVE OFFICERS.
5 I DIDN'T COME ALONG TILL SEPTEMBER-2004.
6 ONLY THE OFFICERS (4) HELPED ALL SUMMER ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
7 SCHOOL STARTED-PRESIDENT HAS TRIED TO WORK WITH PRINCIPAL, BUT SHE HASN'T BEEN COOPERATIVE.
8 PRESIDENT-WHEN SHE ASKED PRINCIPAL ABOUT THE MONEY, THIS IS WHEN TROUBLE STARTED.
9 THIS PTO DOESN'T WANT TO CHANGE PRINCIPALS IDEAS ON HOW SHE RUNS HER SCHOOL, JUST WANTED TO
KNOW WHY SHE WANTS TO CONTROL THE PTO. HER NAME
(SHE CLAIMS) HAS TO BE ON THE CHECKING ACCOUNT.
WE CHECKED WITH BANK, NOT TRUE. CAUGHT THIS PRINCIPAL IN SEVERAL MISUNDERSTAND SITUATIONS. I'M TRYING TO BE NICE!!!!!!!!
10 PRINCIPAL ALLOWS TEACHERS TO HAVE THEIR OWN FUNDRAISERS, THAT RUNS THE SAME TIME WE WANTED TO HAVE FUNDRAISERS.
11 WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL TIMES BUTTING HEADS WITH THIS PRINCIPAL.
12 ASK TO HAVE AN AUDIT OF TREASURER FUNDS (AUGUST-2004) ORDERED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. HE SENT BUSINESS MANGERS. TO DATE NO AUDIT HAS BEEN DONE, THE THE PTO KNOWS OF.
13 THIS LADY HAS HAD VERY LITTLE SUPPORT. PRINCIPAL VERY CONTROLLING.
14 LAST NIGHT AT THE PTO MEETING, THIS PRINCIPAL HAD 75-100 PARENTS AT ARMS TEARING THIS PERSON APPART. THEY VOTED TO HAVE HER REMOVED AND THE OTHER OFFICERS DEMOTED OUT OF OFFICE. THE PTO HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PROVE ANYTHING WHAT THEY COULD BE DOING FOR THIS SCHHOL.
15 IF THE PRINCIPAL HAD WORKED WITH THE PRESIDENT AND BROUGHT THESE PARENTS IN WHEN SHE NEEDED THEM PROGRESS COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
16 THE PRINCIPAL HUMILATED THIS LADY. NO ONE GAVE HER A CHANCE TO REBUTTALE.
17 THE PRINCIPAL IS GIVEN A BUDGET FOR STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS.
18 AT OUR CHILI FUNDRAISER THE TEACHERS (NOT ALL)
HAD BOOTHS AND MADE MONEY FOR THEIR OWN USE. WE (PTO) LOST MONEY ON OUR FUNDRAISER (CHILI).
19 MANY OBSTACLES THIS PTO PRESIDENT HAS HAD TO ENCOUNTER.
20 WHEN YOU ASKED PRINCIPAL HOW IS THE MONEY BEING SPENT (FROM STUDENT ACTIVITY FUNDS) SHE DOESN'T RESPOND. SOMEONE ELSE TALKS FOR HER.
21 WE HAVE TRIED NOT TO ARGUE WITH HER, BECAUSE
IT MAKES US LOOK LIKE WE WANT TO CONTROLL EVERYTHING AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW I CAN HELP THIS LADY FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS SITUATION?
