Sound like a big job - combining three elementaries? Thought the trend is for smaller campuses?
I would also recommend referring parents, teachers and administration to the vaious articles from PTOtoday.com and this forum. You could print the information for review through whatever regular communication channels you schools & District may have.
Our District has been through three contentious PTO vs. PTA debates and then a secret ballot vote on the decision. All three voted to become PTO's. Yes, there is a little more work and some initial start up expense -- $500 for the IRS 501(c)3 filing fee; but it could be worth it in the long run. We found most of the parents voting become PTO did not have monies being paid to a state or national organization as their primary driving factor -- policital, policy and lobbying issues of the PTA didn't match the primary needs of the parents voting. We also found that a really large majority of the parents did not care and did not even vote. Those that did shop up to vote had very strong opionions on both sides.
The Principal or someone from administration should be on hand and actually help guide the process in a nonpartisan manner. Parents should be on hand for the vote tabulation, but let adminstration do the acutual counting. A vote by a show of hands could prove divisive. The outcome O or A should be approached matter of factly -- don't look back, just do what it takes to make the new organization work. Remember the purpose of the organization is to help the children and their school.
It is almost impossible to have a "PTO representative" by the very nature PTO's are independant organizations with not state or national affiliation. PTA will probably insist on having a representative.
Our third PTO or PTA decision, was actually the easiest -- but there were strong opionions on both sides. It was a little easier for us to have somewhat of an "outside PTO representative" a member from another PTO in the District answered questions. The PTA had three State representatives present the "PTA story" then the PTO member from another campus answered questions. The acutal vote was scheduled for a later date. I think this really helped let tensions cool a little. There was no "meeting" at the voting sessions, just pick up a ballot and cast you vote.
If the vote is PTO, there are numerous excellent resoures available online, locally and from your state education department or agency. Some have already been referrenced on various PTOtoday forum pages.
Good Luck, Good Leadership, and Focus on the ture mission.
~WHERE DO YOU LIVE??~
I WOULD SUGGEST PTO IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT ACTIVE PROGRAM. TAKE THE ARTICLE OFF THIS WEB SITE PTO vs. PTA AND SEND IT HOME WITH EVERY CHILD IN YOUR SCHOOL AND TO THE OTHER SCHOOL WITH A PTO.
Next Fall our District will be combining three elementary schools into one. We currently have two PTOs and one PTA. In January we will be voting as to what organization will be in place in the Fall. I need to get as much information on the benefits of being a PTO as possible. Or someone who believes so strongly in PTO and lives in our area to come and speak on the PTOs behalf.
I feel if I stand up and speak some of the PTA parents might think I am biased. A bi-partisan party would better fit the forum that evening.
So that is my dilemma. Any suggestions on how I inform the parents of all the benefits of a PTO without sounding like I'm pushing it on them???
