our school was lacking support from teachers and parents. we didn't have a board to participate so we almost didn't have a pto. So four of us stepped up to do the job, I am a first time president with lots of questions. Our principal wants to get her hands on our accounts and change our bilaws. what should we do????

As to the principal taking over meetings , you have the right to stop her/him. The PTO president runs the meeting and all things must be voted on. She can make decisions about school functions during school time such as the time alloted for school parties or any program the PTO wants to put on during school hours. Yes she can call the shots on some of the other issues. But she can not make any decisions on how PTO money is spent or functions out side of school. The most she can do refuse to sighn off on any fundraisers or field trips you may plan. If that happens call the Board of ed and request a reason from her in wrighting.
As for the volunteers our state has guide lines a person must meet to be able to help out at the school on a regular basis. So that maybe a thing that you need to look into and make sure all youe volunteers qualify.
I as president pick the people who will help me make coppies, pick up donations, or anything that is outside of the school. Our principal has no controll over that.
My best advice is pull out the PTO bylaws and Roberts rull of conduct and make sure these are the things you use to run the meetings. If she starts to take over in a polite way explain that this is how your meeting are to be ran. I suggest opening your meeting by going over them and saying to the whole group that as president this is what you expect at meeting and this is how all meetings under you will be ran.

I wish every one the best of luck at dealing with this hard issue.

I know how hard it can be and when the light at the end of the tunnel is dim it makes it even hard to keep going with a positive out look. I know the principal at our school has upset many parents and volunteers. If you have tried to work things out and have been unable to do so then you have to look at what you can do. One you can step down from you position or two come out fighting so to speak.

When parents get upset with you let them know that you are in no way making the decisions that have upset them. Advise them that you have tried to work things out and thus far a conclusion has not been reached.
Stand your groung at meeting remember this is your show and not the principals we have these meetings to make progress for the kids and remind the principal that this organization is here to better the school.
If all else fails call the Board or ed you would be surpised how much it can help clear up. Remember a leopard can only hide its spots for so long.

At our last meeting the Super from the Board of ed came and it was a great help at the meeting. She explaind things the principal was unwilling or uncapable of explaining. And yes before the meeting was over the principal was snapping when questions came up she didn't want to full with or ones that were ask of her and she could not give a answer to. Can I say that the principals attitude has changed 100% no but I can say she knows we as parents have support from the board and are unwilling to put up with rude attitude.

I myself refuse to step down as long as I can help get the things our school needs. I may not have a ton of support but the support I have is worth a ton.

Just recently my co-pres and I resigned from our posts for this exact reason. Our principal is extremely rude to not only us but other volunteers at our school. She has taken over board meetings, made unilaterial decisions regarding all sorts of things, taken over picking and choosing volunteers and has gotten many people upset with her and then us. She is a very vindictive individual. We have seen first hand.

If you go to the board of ed, what will they really do? If the principal has been there for years and they don't really know what her true personality is what then??

Yes I know what you are going throw does anyone have anything. I have been to talk to her many times and it don't work. I have doing this for two years now and the new one wants to take over and fight with us all the way..... Want do I do Please help me or do we just walk away from it and let her take it....

Fist off let me say I hope everyone of us can work the issues out that we have with school Principals .

Yes I agree that the Principal should participate in the PTO . While yes some of us are having trouble getting on common ground I want to say at my sons school the two prior years the Principals were a huge help to the PTO. The Principal is expected to be at PTO functions ( movie nights , Carnivals , fund raising dinners and so on) . Even if the PTO dose not expect it the Board Of Ed does. I will be the first to say I expect them to be at things of that nature to show support for the school if they are not it looks bad to parents ,community leaders, and the teachers .
So yes the principal should have some say so . But no they should not be taking over at the meetings ,counting or handling money (our Board of Ed is really against that one),or doing the job of any PTO officer.

I have been on the PTO long enough to know the Principal can be a true asset to the group. I have complete faith that at some point I can work my issues out with our Principal this year even though at each meeting her attitude is worse than the last . I really feel I can learn to meet her half way on issues .

I had a talk with her the other day and assured her that I was easy to get a long with would never be demanding of her time and was willing to compromise as much myself as what I expected from her . I also let her know that if an issue came up that she could not compromise due to Board rules I would have her back 100% with parents . I even showed that I was willing to support her when an issue came up .Our students can no longer wear a mask at Halloween so I made sure I let parents know who made that rule and it was in no way the Principals doing . That really meant a lot to her . She even took the time to thank me (and a thank you from her was something I never thought I would hear ).
We must remember no matter how hard it may be as PTO leaders and good role models for the kids it is our job find a way to work with the Principal .

Just think maybe if we are the bigger person and set the example it will take care of any bad thing( you know that little lie you may have told or that bad word you said or thought the last time you stubbed your toe) you have done and automatically get you a good spot in Heaven LOL.

Everyone keep you head up and a smile on your face ,remember summer will be here before you know it !