mykidsmom- no rumors I know for a fact it's all true and yes there is way more to the story-but I'm just too afraid to give too many details in a public forum.

LOL-I posted my 1st post over a year ago on this board after reading it for over a year so I knew to document and having seen enough from this school in the past- yes- I already have most everything documented on anything pertaining to or regarding my family- not just PTO matters.

Many Thanks to this board and it's family (smiles) because of reading everyone's posts back then-I had some how prepared myself because something was just not right with the school then but I couldn't put my finger on it. (maybe just a moms instinct)

The BOE has a reputation for being a bit of a mess too but a little bit better than the school admin.
The BOE "might" even be aware of the situation to the point of endorsing it but I can't prove it 100%
I can honestly say that I think we would have to take our concerns to the state level, but it's a small community and don't think many parents could or would stick their necks out like that also I think you have to go through the chain of command before the state will even listen or respond.

But I still don't know what makes their actions illegal?

PTO board even though it was comprised of just all teachers still made the decision and the bylaws don't say a word about them not being allowed to vote in that change or just about any change without a membership vote it just says that minutes must be taken and any actions read at the next membership meeting.

Re:'It takes an enormous leap of faith to expect the people who caused our problems to solve our problems.

howawful- you are a wise sole!

Keep the suggestions coming anything helps! and I'll check back in a few days- maybe things will change.
Thank You! Thank You!
KB

Originally posted by <howawful>:
those kinds of targetings are hard if not impossible to undo.

True but what could hurt a career more? Taking money from a PTO or hurting students????

Your right, both!

First and foremost get ALL the facts (no rumors or this is what someone told me) and find an ear with your school district, State Board of Education office AND community. I obviously don't know how big your community is but trust me when I tell you it's going to get ugly before it gets better.

This unfortunate issue needs to be brought to the State BOE office mainly to know exactly what your rights are, what CAN be done, if the Principal can do this, how can their office help, and AND your concerns of retalliation. This all needs to be discussed with the School District. DO NOT... DO NOTgo to a school board meeting with this but call the office for someone to hear out your issue. Enough people feeling the same (or even the former PTO Board) will, or hopefully help get an ear.

This is the time to roll up your sleeves and work towards a solution. Almost kinda "Get R Done" !


Now, this is also the time to protect your children. Document anything....anything that doesn't seem right. Keep them out of any disscusion or words you have. Nothing scares a child more than talk. Also, kids do talk, my three came home with rumors of our school closing last year and I knew we were in the mist of a long battle (another lllloooonnnggg story) but I assured them they were fine. Teachers, I have comfronted and let them know that this does not include my children, you speak to me and directly me.

Key is organization, being polite but conserned, saving anger and emotions for at home behind closed doors, and most important....keep a level head and mind temper. You will be taken more seriously and listened to.

Please stay strong, there seems to be more to the story than you can share or know yet.

May the force be with you!!!

'It takes an enormous leap of faith to expect the people who caused our problems to solve our problems.'

i dont know who made that quote, but since you cant go to the admin for help, since they seem to be the problem, seems one could inquire of your school board or supt. for advice....otherwise, i agree, you dont want to do anything that might ultimately make your child/ren a target, thats clearly not worth it and would be my number one priority, if i were in your place. those kinds of targetings are hard if not impossible to undo.

Oh my we need help and any advice-
We (several long time PTO parents) have just learned that all of our PTO parent board members resigned last week (you know the ones who do 90% of the work)and the principal has already had a meeting with just the remaining PTO board members(all teachers) and they have closed out the PTO bank account (yes it had an EIN #)and has put all of the $ into the schools account so that they are operating under the school umbrella and we now have no control over the $ or the organization. (yes there are by-laws in place but they have never been adhered to by the principal or teachers unless it suited them- most of the parents have always remained passive under any adversity)

But the worst news is that most of us parents have seen other PTO parents actually get targeted for speaking out in the past and this has transended to their children too! So most of us (including myself) are afraid to take much of a stand because we don't want to be singled out or worse yet have it happen to our kids.


So far, these changes have not been made public to our entire membership and I don't know if they ever will because most of our members and volunteers haven't attended the meetings over the last few years because of the tension between the parents and teachers- but they do volunteer for fundrasiers, events, etc. when asked.

Some parents have had some thoughts about attending the next membership meeting and letting everyone know what has happened but are still a little afraid to stand up.

What do we do?
-Walk away and let our other members find out for themselves what has happened
(they might never find out)

-Call up all of the parents and let them know and maybe ask for their support
(probably wouldn't happen because they are afraid to get involved and if word gets out, those who made the phone calls would most likely recieve some form of retribution)

-Take some kind of legal action, if there is any
(could also lead to more targeting)

I want to just walk away because it looks like it's going to be a real big drawn out mess with no end in site, but some of the parents have worked a lot harder than I to raise the funds and want to stay and try to get control of the PTO and $ back.

I say- just let them (teachers and principal) keep the $ and the PTO, let them run it too.
Just walk away from it and never support it or the school again in any way, ever again.

Please- any advice, opinions, or direction would be helpful to us at this point in time.

Thanks in advance for any help! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 04-08-2006, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: CuntryBumpkin ]