Just to add another point. In our school if the schhol committee or the principal wants a say they come to a meeting and they cast a vote like everyone else does. In our by-laws it says that EVERYONE'S vote counts the same. So the board or the principals vote counts just as much as any parent or teacher. So far it has worked without any problems. No one has questioned anything and no one can say that someone else counts more or the school decides for the parents what happens with the money

That's how our group started and the Principal just wanted the parents to become "organized" PTO to benifit the school better. Sure we have always had parents that feel the way you do about getting this approved etc but I suppose I figure I am there to help my principal's school. Sure the posters I'm hanging in te school tommorrow had to be approved as well as the tacks I'm using but the "guys" just painted and it's a new building so that I'm not complaining about but the paperwork needed to sell summer skate passes as a fundraiser is crazy but I'll do it.

You like the way your group is and I like the way my group is set-up. I have a feeling between the two of us Heathr has gotten a lot to think about!

Hi mykids mom.... we actually are a parent club not a PTO we want teachers to get involved, but they don't they just want us to do the work! We do have a few teachers who are members but they are also parents... We raise money & hold events that the school/district can not fund or do not have time to do. We just finished fixing up the playground, we pay for fieldtrips & assemblies run carnivals, donuts with dad events, help at book fairs, etc... but do not try to "rule" the school, although our principal dose respect our opinions about some issues.

We are not told by the district or our principal how to spend or raise our money. I think they are grateful we are able to fund many things they can not!! Hope that answers your question... [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]

Sorry heather we have gotten off track here but I was wondering from chic*mom why have a pTo if the teachers aren't asked to be involved and you are not apart of the school? Aren't you really just parents with an agenda or needs the school can't meet? Our PTO was set up the way it was to protect the average parents from ones that want to rule the world and unfortunatly we have had a couple run-ins and the board was the one able to step in WHEN WE HAVE ASKED!
Thank you for recognizing the fact that each district is different and you are entitled to your opinion but there is a utopia where PTO are apart of their schools and there is a happy ever after I hope that someday you will have that.


Heathr-- You really need to talk again with the principal and let her know your thoughts and hear what he/she has in mind. King Tuts tomb took sometime...the Twin Towers will take sometime so will forming 3 "clubs". Plus is there an intrerest? It's hard to build a PTO if no one wants to join. At our little charter school it was the board that helped start the PTO beginning with the drafting of our by-laws. Does the school already have an established volunteer "staff"? These maybe the Moms and Dads that will start the group. sorry....you really should start with talking to the board and the principal. Please don't let the idea of going to the board be intimidating, I go to every board meeting (okay I've missed a couple after having my baby last year [img]smile.gif[/img] ) and have really learned alot about how our school is run etc. The toughest question you may have to answer is "Why do you feel our school needs a PTO?" and "How can your group help us?"

That little angel you but to bed when I started writing this (lol) is your reason....their's too.

I believe that a PTO is totally seperate from the school. Unless your school makes ever teacher join.
The issue of the Board approving our fundraisers came up & parents, teacher & staff all felt that we are totally seperate from the school. We have our own tax ID# our own accounts and our own board. Yes you may need permission to start a PTO at the school... but under no means let the board make your decisions for you...

Hey at our school the board would use free labor (volunteers, fundraisers, helpers) until we get tired & die (quit) or go on to a different school. And thats not right i am working hard for the kids not the school board. Don't mean to sound bitter but our old principal always wanted us to spend the $$ how he wanted & to talk to the board about every little thing... Yes I would go to them over big issues like new playground etc.. but not for every party we throw.

And there is no way I would run a PTo for 3 schools each needs their own to organize activities, fundraisers, parents etc... Each school will have it's own goals & parents.
GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!! [img]smile.gif[/img] :eek:

Our PTO is a committe that reports at the School Board meetings as to our doings and goings on. Our fundraisers are also subject to approval from teh board to per our by-laws but in the four years I have been a member, I have never seen the board step in and veto a fundraiser (actually they gave us one they couldn't do and it has been terrific for us!)
Insead of thinking it of "Big Brother watching", maybe consider it as "Mom and Dad helping out" the board has helped us with several petty issues that were too much for us and should have been directed their way anyway.