At our school we have parents as the elected board positions and in addition, each grade has a representative at the meetings. Fine Arts, ESE and Guidance all have someone in attendance. This has worked well for us. The teachers rotate every year or two so they don't get burned out. We have yet to have a conflict between the board (parents) and the teachers in the 3 years that I have been doing this. The Principal and VP are also there and the President opens the meeting with any remarks and then the Principal speaks on what has been going on. The President sets the agenda and runs the meeting. I have been President under 2 principals and though each has their different styles, they have not tried to take over the meeting. The Principal doesn't vote either. I hope this helps.
We actually had the opposite concern for the PTO where teachers couldn't be elected officers. It wasn't to prevent the principal from controlling the position.
The principal requested that clause as he felt it was unwise to put the teacher - his employee - in a situation where they might have to answer to two different leaders. That Principal and that PTO worked really well together, but no one sees eye to eye 100%. It was felt the officers should be free to express their opinions without also worrying if it could have a negative job impact.
Our board had 25-30 members at any one time. Teachers could not hold any of the 5 elected positions; but there were 2 teacher rep positions as well as numerous committee chair options. There was plenty of room for teachers to be heard and involved.
However, we did consult the principal about which jobs a teacher took (when they were major roles). We had some who were parents as well as teachers and eager to help on both fronts. But there were times when a teacher spent too much school time on PTO projects. It was handled diplomatically, but at least once the principal asked that person not have that particular job again because of the time management issue.
I can sooooooo see how there could be an issue with the principal "controlling" a teacher elected to the board....but it happens all the time with elected parents....It is called Parent TEACHER Organization....I really think it comes down to the individual.....Most teachers aren't willing to put the time into it...but if there is one that really has the kids and school's best interest at heart, doesn't have a personal agenda (can be a serious problem with some parents), then that teacher may be a really good fit for an office.....It could actually be better in some ways....according the principal....Nothing worse than a self serving officer whether it is a parent or teacher....
I agree with JHB. The idea that only a staff member can hold the executive position of Secretary is bad protocol. I think you need to ask yourself why the Principal may want this. Do you expect that the Principal will be attending the meetings? If not I can see why he may want the Teacher Secretary, but a teacher rep position could do the same thing. He he will be attending then there really is no need to bog down your Bylaws with something like this.
On a similar note, you may want to include in your Bylaws specifications on what a staff member is allowed to do. IMO, I do not believe that it is wise to allow staff members to hold executive positions. I've heard of too many issues where a Principal (and even if your current Principal wouldn't, the next one may) has their own agenda. They want to control the money and in order to do this they "talk" a certain staff member into becoming an Executive member. Worse could be Treasurer or possibly as bad as President. Imagine a teacher being the PTO President? Who controls the teachers?... The Principal, which would equate to the Principal controlling the PTO. That is bad protocol. So my recommendation is to ensure via your Bylaws that staff members are automatically members of the PTO, but that thay can not hold Executive positions.
I think including a teacher rep position would be the best way to go.
I'm of the opinion that the Board should be large and not just the typical 4 or 5 elected officers, as it is generally the Board that ends up making most decisions. The last two PTOs with which I was affiliated had a Board comprised of the elected officers, all committee chair, parent rep for each grade, principal, vice principal, and 2 teacher reps.
In one of them school staff were prohibited by the bylaws from serving in any of the 5 elected positions. The other didn't have that limitation. But I've never been aware of one where it was mandated that a teacher be an elected officer.
