It is just a matter of principle that she respect the decisions of the PTO. It wasn't that we did not want snacks provided but we felt we should see what could be gathered through donation first. In the end she got her snacks and everything was donated, therefore, saving working cash flow for another event that would not receive donations.
It's difficult when an adult behaves in a childish manner. We have never had a problem with our principal but we did have an issue with a couple of the teachers this last year. The teachers felt that the PTO was stepping on their toes and being distrustful of the teachers (which we found out at the end of the conflict). This came from 1. starting up a web site to better inform parents of school activities and 2. starting to label things that the PTO purchased as being purchased by the PTO for the school (so these items would stay with the school). Anyway, to make a very long story short, these teachers were being rude during the meeting (talking right over us) and being nasty to the officers in general. At the next meeting we agreed on ground rules during the meeting (using the Baldridge technique) and a couple of months after that I asked if the principal (during a scheduled meeting with the teachers) would ask the teachers what their expectations were of the PTO. In the end it was better to work out the conflict and work as a team (besides the fact I have a kindergartner and have to deal with these teachers for the next 3 years!). My advice is to work it out, see each others' point of view, and come to some compromises (we will pay for snacks but we will only pay X amount). In the end, everyone (especially the children) will be much happier and you are setting groundwork for all of the PTO's to come.
Good luck!
PS. We did buy snacks for our state mandated testing. [img]smile.gif[/img] In the realm of things with the couple of hundred dollars worth sacrificing a relationship for? Don't sweat over the small stuff.
Oh and just an extra note the principal has decided that the checking account is her own slush fund and together she and the secretary write checks from the account to cover the cost of assemblies (we paid it with the PTO money because the school district takes to long to write a check and it will be reimbursed), equipment (an air compressor for the custodian - it will be reimbursed later)and loans to teachers to cover expenses (to be paid back later).
We should have known we were in trouble when our principal had a fit during a meeting that involved a discussion about testing snacks (state mandated testing) some of the parents (me as well-I am the Pres)felt that the parents of the students taking the test should donate the snacks. The prinicpal (this is her forth year)jumped from her seat and said "we'll just pay for it from our pop fund". She was very angry and her tone was very unpleasant. A grandparent and myself talked to her later and assured her that donations would be gathered to provide the students with snacks. Together we raised $180 cash to buy snacks and in addition we raised food donations. None of the PTO or pop fund needed to be spent on testing snacks. She was not satisfied with one out burst there has been at least two more where she acted poorly when parents have felt differently than she. Recently she decided to pad the meeting with individuals that had never attended a meeting before to elect the kindergarten teacher as president and one of the lunch ladies as vice president. Remarkably 75% of the teaching staff was present including the school secretary that was running for treasurer. The three signers on our PTO account: the principal, president and treasurer. Or the Principal, kindergarten teacher, and school secretary. Any one else see a conflict of interest. The Principal is their boss and can tell them what to do with the money that the volunteers and school families have raised to make our school a better place. Too many Principals it appears feel that they are to run everything. I will attempt to change the by laws at the next meeting to remove the Principal from the checkbook but it won't help much the Vice President is a school employee too.
Here's an update on the situation. I wish I could tell you I handled it really well, but I didn't. The
Principal and I got into a very heated discussion where she "scolded" me for
not letting her have control and she refused to even bring certain things up
for a vote at the PTO meetings. My blood boiled and I told her to "run her
own damn PTO" then I stormed out of the school...it was a very ugly scene
and one that I'm not proud of. However, so many people witnessed it and
called me to THANK me for putting her in her place. I guess I stood up to
her when no one else would. The other PTO officers stood behind me and told
her things needed to change or she would lose her best parent volunteers.
Long story short....she buckled under the pressure and realized it's better
to work WITH us than AGAINST us. We are retaining all rights to our funds
and the funds are going to be kept in our own account. She will NOT be a
signer on the account. We are also printing bylaws to prevent this from
happening again in the future. PTO is for the children and teachers...not
the Principal. If you are having similar problems, I would never recommend that someone should throw a temper tantrum like I
did, but maybe if you rally your group together you can present your case as
a united front. If she's smart, she'll realize it's your way or the highway,
and I'm sure if you all walk away from your duties, she'll look like a fool
and the school will suffer. That should be her incentive to keep things on an even keel. It worked out pretty well here!
Hi,
Hang in there I can understand. We have a new Principal also. Last year was her first year. She didn't make any changes and tried to befriend everyone. This year she was like a totally different person she changed evcerything. She has even tried to change things the PTO has done. Even thought it has been a VERY stressful year we have stood up to her. All funds given to the school has to be voted on. If we all vote no then it's no. No matter if she likes it or not.
I know it makes life hard and it would be easier if we could all be friends. But, it hasn't been that way, and the way we see it is that we must protect the kids money so that it is used for the kids. Hang in there!
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