I'm just going to try to add a different take on the meeting time issue. I've always been amazed at the hours my principal keeps at school. I've passed by after 7 & 8 pm (when there's NO school activity or meeting of any kind going on) many a night and she's still there, since 7 am, plugging away! I realize that it may seem that it's being done so that he "gets paid", but maybe he has a family to get home to? Maybe he's just trying to get out at a decent time? What may seem a perfectably reasonable time for you, could be what pushes his time table into the late evenings.

As for the mail thing, I've got nothing for you! Just hang in there and I hope it gets better.

I am going a different direction, it seems the mail thing is a huge joke but beyond that story...It is common to meet with the principal prior to a meeting. It isn't about the principal having control but more that there is a communcation line there, trust me there is nothing worse that looking at your principals face in front of 30 parents when he has no clue that you changed fun night...
I have always tried to be open and make share that we both know what the other is presenting that night, this realtionship is a huge steppin stone for any parent group and it needs to be very clear that you are on the same team. Yes you will not always agree but maybe there is a middles ground. this year my principal and I actually had a mediator at one meeting because we didn't agree but we knew we had to in the best interest...give him a chance...he may be more scared that you know! Also is seems that you resent that the meeting is done on school time and he gets paid...trust me NO principal gets paid what they deserve and all the time that goes into after school hours. Heck i have had communication with my my principal on the weekend so let that go...

[ 10-07-2006, 05:46 PM: Message edited by: pals ]

Wishing you best of luck with this piece of work. I sure wouldn't be changing any plans to meet with the this person, if I were the Prez. Like your Prez takes orders from the Principal??? Make a point to learn/accept where they want you to p/u your mail from, and realize you;re dealing with the village idiot, for this year, atleast.

Due to one of our neighboring school closing we now inherited the principle, his staff and the nurse. This will be our 3rd principle in 4 years. The PTO has never had a problem with the past principles until now. This guy is a control freak. For instance. The PTO had no specific spot for our mail. He said he would figure something out. He put a basket between the 2 office people with 20 huge envelopes sticking out of it with room numbers on them. We don't need to know where it came from just what event it is for. I brought in a 6 tier tray in place of the basket. I received a note from the secretary stating "all building changes must be approved by the principle". Has he nothing better to do. She conitued to tell me "the tray will be replaced with the basket". Don't laugh, this is a true story. This is just one example of his nonsense. What role does the principle play in the PTO? Because of the beating he took in his first PTO meeting, he now wants to meet with the PTO president to discuss the agenda. This is on school time so he will be getting paid. The PTO president will not. Again, what is his role in the PTO. He sits in on our meetings as well as 2 teachers.
Thank you in advance for any help.