Before my friend aOK jumps in, let me say that you need to make absolutely sure of your allegations against this woman before you act on them. If they turn out to be true, it doesn't necessarily mean she should be removed from office. If she's paid her dues, so to speak, then she has the right to get on with her life and continue to be part of her child(ren)'s education.

Should she be in a leadership position? I guess that's for the majority to decide. I would not bring up such issues at a PTO meeting but I would voice my concerns to the principal and remaining officers.

If you think it's best, let things ride this year. Build the membership back up, join yourself so you have a vote in things, demand the bylaws be followed, and finally, at year end, follow appropriate election processes.

It sounds like your group is going through a major transition. For it to be a positive transition a lot of good, caring, dedicated and energetic parents need to get involved and help facilitate the changes.

The bylaws are very basic. It does not describe itself as a service branch or say anything about 501(c)3 It serves grades 6-12 and under its name says XXPTSO, Inc. It states its purpose as: 1)to promote excellence in the education program in the school district, 2)to bring into closer relation the home and the school...3) to further cooperative efforts between educators and the community and 4) to provide open forum for discussion. I understand they have started a membership drive this year as they had a table set up at the summer BBQ for the kids entering middle school and their parents. Their first meeting is not until the end of September. I really do not want this to get too ugly. I'm sure that some of these officers have the best intentions. In addition to being arrested for hitting a child, this "New president" was fired from 3 positions that I know of working with children because of problems. Is our only recourse to go to the first meeting and expose her history to everyone?

I hope others chime in here because there are a lot of folks way smarter than me on these boards!

For now, though, I have to say that your school doesn't have a PTSO.

How is membership decided? Is it through dues? And if so, have any members paid dues this year?

I can understand the BOE's advice to the principal. This is a hornet's nest for sure. According to the only known bylaws, how does it describe the group? Is it a service branch of the school or a seperate 501(c)3? If it's a service branch, the superintendent and BOE have not only a right but an obligation to step in and get things back under control. If you're seperate, a majority of like minded parents need to get together and establish a new group. This rogue group you mention has no authority and no right to represent themselves to the community as the PTSO.

There are no rightfully elected officers. The president, 2 VPs, and secretary were not elected. They simply took over. In the bylaws, it states that the principal is an officer but when I approached her, she was not aware of this. I guess the bylaws are old. She has been advised by the superintendent not to get involved. Who do they answer to? How do you enforce the bylaws with a renegade board of officers? What action can be taken if they refuse to hold an election?

I'm not a lawyer, and far from being a PTO expert, but my initial reaction is that your bylaws are in charge. Regardless of the current "president's" history, your bylaws are in place and should be followed to the letter. She wasn't officially elected into the position and, therefore, has no authority.

Without membership the only voting members are the existing, rightfully elected officers, including the principal. They need to get off the fence and act like officers.

You and your fellow parents have a right to demand that the PTO follow the bylaws and to take action if they don't. Gather a group of concerned parents (and staff if they're inclined) and outline your expectations of how the PTSO should function within the school. If the current officers are unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations then they should be replaced by people who can.

Who does the PTSO answer to legally? Although our PTSO has written bylaws, the officers have not followed them. This has led to a potentially dangerous situation. Our PTSO pretty much fell apart last year. They didn't have a membership drive, no minutes of meetings, etc. The President, who has been running it for many years, had enough and simply handed over her postion to awoman with a past history of violence towards a child. This woman was arrested for striking a child and then violating an order of protection. She plea bargained and got probation which is now completed. (I don't think the past president was aware of her history).There was no election, etc. The school is aware but the superintendent said he checked with the school lawyers and the PTSO is a seperate organization and they can do nothing about it even though the principal is listed in the bylaws as an executive officer. The other officers "do not want to get in the middle" of this mess. What can we as members and concerned parents do?

[ 08-29-2006, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: sonsx3 ]