On the other hand, if the PTO is comprised of all school members and there is no criteria for membership (i.e., dues), then perhaps any meeting the PTO holds is essentially a meeting held by the school. And a (public) school would be a governmental body subject to those laws.
I believe that it is state by state law. We have the "Sunshine Law" which in part state that no elected official or those that are appointed by an elected official may discuss any business without the meeting held open to the public. This includes phone calls, email, letters, etc.
I asked at one point if we could have a cordless doorbell that would only be used for our meetings. Many liked it but once that mom started her crusade nothing would be good enough....
Open Meeting laws are definitely made at the state level. But they typically only applic to public (i.e., governmental) bodies.
I'm no expert, but I work for a government agency, so Open Records and Open Meetings laws are part of our daily life.
If a PTO is a separate, independent entity comprised of members, then it's hard to see how someone could apply those laws.
On the other hand, if the PTO is comprised of all school members and there is no criteria for membership (i.e., dues), then perhaps any meeting the PTO holds is essentially a meeting held by the school. And a (public) school would be a governmental body subject to those laws.
Mykidsmom - I'd be concerned about the safety issue as well. We used to meet (also often late) in the teachers' workroom that had some high windows that faced the parking lot. They weren't eye level, but you could reach them. We used to tape a big yellow star in the closest window, lock the building doors once the majority arrived, and post a sign on the door directing anyone else to knock on the window with the star if they needed in.
In Colorado we are. We had a issue with the front doors, after 6:00pm they are locked or the night unless you have a sercurity card to enter. Well, a parent didn't think it was right that one of the PTO members took turns letting members in for meetings and started a campaign (if you will) to open the doors. I see the point she makes with the law etc but I don't like that those doors are still unlocked when we leave (sometimes) 10:30 or later!
We really don't have too many people from the public stopping by for our meetings but they do atttend the school board meetings.
Hey Tim, you may be interestd to know, the interviews that were done for our new exe director were done during the public session of the school board meeting. The school lawyer advised this while the Board members felt it was a personnel issue therefore should be closed! I stayed home and played our new Dora Candyland game! You can only go to so many meetings!
Are PTO's subject to open meeting laws? The law is not particularly clear on the subject of non-profits. The answer I found, as I understood it, was sometimes yes, sometimes no. Anyone with experience on this particular matter?
