momfirst, yu might also want to go to your state dept of ed website (google NY State Dept of Ed, for ex, or wherever you live) and enter search words Educator Code of Conduct and Principal Duties or Principal Job etc.

Your head of school is supposed to work TOGETHER with parents, community, mediate concerns, achieve resolution etc etc etc. in short, they are supposed to MANAGE all school related issues brought to their attention by parents, they arent supposed to take sides or treat parents or issues in unfair or undiplomatic manner or obfuscate matters and thats what youve shared here sounds a bit like.

bottom line is, 'it shouldnt be so hard', getting the simple answers youre trying to get.

if youre getting so little satisfaction from a matter as non-child oriented as parent group finances, how are more child-related matters or educational proper related matters, being handled by your head of school. that would be my number one concern. maybe this bump in the road will serve you well down the line, in making you more aware of how your school's manangement 'manages' things.

and regarding 'removing your membership' becuase you asked a question they didnt like, youve got to wonder ala shakespeare, methinks she doth protest too much, or something along those lines.

momfirst, you might want to google the term "501c3" and read all about the public disclosure laws for such corporations and what other rules they must adhere to.

ie in order to continue to operate as a non profit, a group cant just make up their own rules on a whim and without regard for 501c3 regs. its the opposite in fact: there are certain rules you have to continue to adhere to in order to remain in compliance with the 501c3 laws/rules/regs etc, and disclosure of certain infos to the public is but one of them.

you can verify they are 501c3 with their TIN/EIN (and call IRS 1800 nr) and go from there.

Thank B&C. reading this thread I was waiting for someone to say that.

It doesn't matter if the group is PTA or PTO. It doesn't matter if it is 501c3 or not. In this cse, all that matters is what the by-laws said when you asked the question. If they said you were considered a member of the organization, you have a right to that basic financial information. Period.

As someone else pointed out, if the by-laws were changed over the summer but were not approved in the process defined by the previous by-laws, then the changes are null-and-void and the previous by-laws are still in effect.

I find it very curious that the Principal is going along with a group that can't (or worse, won't) explain their financial picture. It certainly looks like they are trying to hide something. Would the Principal prefer to have the "E-word" plastered all over the local paper with the school's name listed prominently. I hardly think that is a career enhanceing strategy.

and even if youre NOT 501c3 but a service arm and under umbrella of the school, 'all' should be public knowledge under the Right to Know Law (google that term and you will find the wording).

(just chcek your school web site for district, all your district finances are available for the public to see. and whats not posted, can be requested and must be provided to public. check the law for details on what is not required to be divulged to public - very little in fact.)

anyway, one would think it be no different for a parent group that operates under jurisdiction of the school. their docs one would think are also all public info. at least, in theory.

If they are infact a 501 organization they are required to have their financial records available to the public(meaning anyone connected to you school). Failure to do so may mean they can lose that non profit status.
Now if they are not 501 and just saying they are it seems they should still be accountable to the building principal/school superintendent because they are working under that building, they are representatives of your parent body and therefore they should have no hesitation to share with others. I would clearly point out that it sends the wrong message when they are unwilling to share and how many families would participate if they knew this fact?

writer mom,,,,,,,Thanks for the post. I am not currently in the union, I suppose that would not hurt. I was basically operating as "MY KID'S MOM"......but I also know how these things go and before you know it....unemployed for a totally different reason!!!

I sent off an e-mail letter to the National PTA today to see what they might do in this instance. Sad to say, that is what this board is hindging on the fact that they are PTO and not PTA!!! I will be calling the area superintendant this week. I hope I get an answer back before the kick off of our first fundraiser and open house. I am not the type to stand out in front of the school with a sign to protest these events. Is this what it is going to take???