This issue is so convoluted, it's insane. But here goes --- at Tuesday nights meeting, the principal, through her assistant, demanded that:
1. The PTO turn over it's funds to the school, she would be the check signer
2. The PTO is not allowed to have any fundraisers, including the bookfair which distributes books to children & classrooms
3. She took the PTO mail, opened it, and kept the bank statements (and of course we don't know what else).
4. The PTO must prove it has cut all affiliations with the Foundation (formed by the PTO to oversee granting to the staff of parent money) or the principal will dissolve the PTO. This includes PERSONAL affiliations.
This has been an ongoing problem, and it centers around the money, and control. We have commmunicated to the district - and especially where we think inappropriate behavior (she told students in front of witnesses that they were criminals and had sex in the bathrooms) to things that seemed illegal. The district has not reigned her in.
This school has a by-laws structure that has been followed from its inception (1986) until now. She has totally disregarded all policies put in place by the community - and enacted her hitler-style management. We are gravely concerned about the new edicts.
Can she do all this? Do we have any recourse?
We had to hire a lawyer last spring because she took over several meetings, then told people parents were stealing money, and then told the PTO their by-laws were against district rules (they are not, it was already covered - they compliment).
I hate that parent money is going to a lawyer to protect us... but what is the deal? I know this district is notorious - but this is so blatant. And in the meantime, this principal has some of the worst academic scores in the state. We have even pulled in the district parent representative and the Teachers union president.
All we're asking for is 1) what exactly is your problem, 2) some common decency and respect, 3) if we're wrong, show us - don't just shout and demand.
