Hey Busy, I would also (for CYA) talk to police. How did it go with the lawyer? Did you find one? How did that go? The reason I would talk with the police is to to make sure is she does decide to "call the sheriff" you have already filed a report. Upper hand thing.
The light in the tunnel is (hopefully) the truth will come out and he/she will look like an idiot!
How has the district been as far as support etc?
It's still amazing how grown-ups can still be the "Angelica" from Rugrats!
Thanks for the advice and support. My main concern is not for myself, I've done nothing wrong, and have nothing to worry about. I'm worried about the teachers who were counting on thier money. Most of them incurred some kind of expense for the carnival and expected to cover it with the checks that I wrote. Now the teachers, who can least afford it, are out of luck.
I also found out today that she has told the teachers that the checks will not clear, and that I am under investigation. She conveniently forgot to mention the fact the checks will not clear because she had her secretary clear out the account. She also said that the checks were illegal because pto cannot write checks to individual teachers. It must be nice to be able to make up laws all on your own. Her comments are becoming a little too close to slander for me so I will be contacting a lawyer this week.
It's a shame that any volunteer experience should come to this. There should be pschycological (sp?) reviews done on people before they are hired for positions of authority. At least I know who the people I wrote checks to believe.
How hideous. If I were you I'd write a letter to anyone you have an outstanding check with (if you can access that information?) and explain in very factual, non-judgemental terms that the PTO has dissolved (no need to tell them why, and it gives you an upper hand) and that as a result the school is now responsible for paying all outstanding checks. I would also get a lawyer (try the Legal Aid Society or a friend whose a lawyer?)to represent you, and if the Principal or anyone from the district office wants to talk about this situation, they do it either with your lawyer, or with you and your lawyer present. I think the idea of "letting them" call the Sherrif is fine, too. The school probably doesn't want the bad publicity. I would approach the bank where the account is held and ask for their advice. Bottom line, if you approach this mess NOT as an angry person scorned by a nasty principal, but rather as someone who wants to see the people get their money (which you promised them via a check with your name on it), you will come out of this okay. Good luck and keep your chin up.
Did you ask the principal (or anyone else) what she planned on doing with the outstanding checks? I think I'd have any willing parent (ok the 6 or so you have) call the Board and demand an explanation. Worse case you can always contact the news stations. I'm sure the teachers and parents would not like that their money has been taken even if the secretary is an authorized signer. Hang in there Busy and let us know how it turns out for you.
unfotunately the secretary is a signer. the last principal asked for it in case of an emergency. it was easier to just give in . i could kick myself for it. now i've found out that she has called at least one parent to tell them the district has asked her to "investigate me" I should have quit at the end of last year. but we were actually looking forward to having a new principal. the whole reason we wanted to disolve was that there is no one else to pass anything on to parent involvement is 0 in a school with 780 students only 6 other parents have participated in pto events-only 2 regularly-and they don't want to be board members everythings been dumped on me and now i am truly being dumped on i should probably get a drink at page two before i go to bed
Today I am questioning why I have ever bothered with the public school system. It all started yesterday at our meeting where we decided to disolve our pto. Long story short, the principal has made it clear that while she wanted our money, she didn't want us. Our feeling was that you don't get one without the other, and we would spend the remaining amount (1300.) on items for the school, close the account, and be done with it. She could start over with "her group".
Today I get a call from our school resource officer telling me I have to hand over the checkbook or else. She also tells me the school secretary has emptied out our account. This now leaves the account short of $4500 in checks that have been written. (mostly to teachers for thier spring festival earnings) These checks all have my signature on them. I would guess that I am legally responsible, not to mention personally responsible. I tried going to the ditrict offices to talk to the superintendant or his assistant. Instead, I end up with the area supervisors secretary. The area supervisor is a good buddy of the principal. The secretary tells me to hand over the checkbook or she will call the sherrif. Fortunatly, she says this in front of the assistant superintendants secretary. Luckily, this woman knows me and told me she would have an appointment for me early next week.
Also, let me say, there has never been a question of any mishandling of money on my part. This is just the actions of one spitefull, mean-spirited, control freak.
My school board member friend just called. She will be looking into it first thing in the am. She's a great person. I'm hopeful this will be resolved.
