We can talk and do talk with our Principal and AP all the time. It makes for an easy flow of interaction between all of us. Having said that, I suspect if we became drive by shooters and had something negative to say, or something "serious" to discuss every time we saw her she would be more reluctant to poke her head out of her office. That is not the case. Sometimes we just pop by to say hi and give kudos. Your Principal may have had the other types of experiences and thus uses a funnel approach. I don't believe the PTO is there to be her gate guard however. She needs to get another pit bull because the PTO is supposed to encourage communication, not be seen as a hinderance to it.
Shoot! Oh, well. I guess you'll just have to do the best you can with the budget, then.
Between my two children, we've experienced 3 principles at our elementary school and 1 principle at our high school.
The first elementary principle was just what you'd hope for -- approachable, experienced, thoughtful, decisive, and a team builder. The worst elementary school principle we had was the second one. She had only two years classroom experience and didn't have much life experience due to her age. As a result, she tried to compensate by being very condesending and aggressive. She was also a control freak. Unless something strongly benefitted her, she was dismissive of any parent needs. Fortunately, the 3rd principle (our current one) is much like the first one. Our school had a lot of healing to do from the damage left by the 2nd one. Some of the parents who pulled their children out because of #2 are starting to come back now. The teachers are happier and more productive, too.
The high school principle we are familiar with is very insulated and controlling. She doesn't respond to phone calls or emails. She walks very quickly through the halls during parent orientation night and doesn't stop to engage parents in conversation. We've had a couple of times of minor crisis at the high school in the last two years and she handled the situations poorly, even to the point of lying to city officials as to her actions. I truly do not know why she hasn't been fired or, at the least, re-assigned.
Yes, I had presented my plans for next year at a board planning meeting and everyone was on board. Unfortunately, I can not use your approach - our budget is under the umbrella of the school business director and she has requested our budget b/c she needs to include it in her budget - which is due in 2 weeks.
I guess my message was a bit confusing. Regarding parent feedback, I was speaking just as a parent, not as a board member.
I'm just curious how receptive other school principals are with parent feedback? (and I am speaking of constructive feedback, not whining). Do most parents feel their feedback is appreciated and considered? Or is it a 'take it or leave it' approach. The principal and her staff set the course and tone for the school and parents should just accept that they know best in all matters. That is the vibe I feel at our school.
**Even though she expects next years budget from me next week!**
Submit a budget of "zero". When she contacts you, tell her that you can give her a more accurate figure after she agrees to discuss your fundraising proposal with you (which, I presume, the board would have fully discussed and tentatively approved prior to your meeting with the principal). Tell her that, otherwise, any budget number you give her will be worth less than the paper it's printed on and is a waste of everyone's time.
Secondly, I'm wondering why you feel that your PTO ought to be responsible for soliciting parent feedback on academic issues?
In direct answer to your other questions, "no" -- principle's don't generally get away with insulating themselves from the parents. The good ones are out there creating educational partners out of their parents.
I am the Pres Elect of the parents group at a small K-8 Catholic school (400 students)
We have a principal that is now in her 3rd year at the school. She is a very organized, rule oriented person who has done wonders to 'tighten up the ship' on a previously rudderless school.
However, she seems to be resistant to almost all parent feedback. First, there very few vehicles to share feedback. She does not respond to emails consistantly, can never be reached by phone and is impossible to schedule meetings with. She has no secretary or admin - so these communication attempts lie dead in the water.
Recently, she told the board that all communications must go through the current Pres - who is a loyal 'dont rock the boat' employee of the school. Also, there is no type of parent survey to register feedback. She is very control oriented and frankly, I think she has her fingers in too many pots and therefore has very little time to spend with parents - unless they are demanding her attention (ie angry).
I have never been a parent at any other school. My question is: is this normal? Do all principals buffer themselves from parental feedback? Or do any of you have principals that are willing to hear and sometimes take the advice of parental feedback?
Could this be a Catholic school thing? Ie: you are not expected to question authority?
I am an idea person and I took the President elect job b/c I had a number of fresh new ideas for the parent group. I am becoming increasingly frustrated that my principal only expects status quo from all parents and the parent group. After two weeks of trying to set a meeting to discuss my ideas for next year, I was basically told to go away. Even though she expects next years budget from me next week!
Any feedback on whether this is normal or no would be appreciated!
