We've had the same problem at our school. Teachers don't come to the meetings unless they want to request large amount of money. We have asked the principal if we could send an officer to their meetings to do quick update and check in but she said no. We're going to try a few alternate suggestions:
*if they want to go over an officer approved amount (then is votable), they have to give us two weeks notice to the meeting - no coming to us two days before meeting or showing up night of. We need time to inform communtiy to vote.
*we may go back to principal and ask that they reconsider and at least send one teacher a month to our meeting because it is a parent *teacher* group.
*I have heard from another group in our district that they moved their meetings to just after dismissal and got more teachers to come.
We have similar problems getting teachers to attend our meetings--or most of our evening events, for that matter--although our principal is very supportive. We've worked out a plan through our principal that gets SOME teachers to each meeting, but it's usually just the one or two who are required to be there, which I find a little discouraging. Although since we also have trouble getting parents to attend our meetings, I don't feel we can be too critical of the teachers.
One factor that complicates this situation for us is that most of our teachers don't actually live within our county. The cost of living here is so high it's pricing teachers--and firefighters, police officers, etc.--out of the market, which makes that after-hours involvement more difficult. Whole 'nother problem, but you might consider what outside factors might be aggravating your situation.
Anyway, one thing you might consider that would be more of an incentive than a punishment would be to stipulate that teachers who receive funding from the PTO must attend a PTO meeting to report on how the funds were spent. I know most groups have them produce receipts or some kind of documentation, but I'm talking about an oral report to the parents to give an idea of how the children benefitted from the money those parents contributed/raised.
We've found that the vast majority of our parents have only the vaguest idea where our money goes, no matter how many written budgets we distribute, and I would think hearing directly from the classroom teachers would be a nice bit of encouragement for the parent volunteers.
Wow! That's really a sad situation. I have to say that for the most part our staff is supportive. If attendance at meetings gets low, the principal gives them a "pep talk". Plus, in order for them to get any award money they have to work at least 2 of our events throughout the year. If they only work 1, no money. Maybe you should try something like that.
Wow, what a tough situation you have. I can understand that teachers have a lot of work load and part of their job description is not PTO. But they may also think that the things you give them, they are entitled do and may not realize the role of PTO in their school and what we provide.
You may want to reiterate to them in a nice memo or fancy new brochure about your PTO, that you are based on a volunteer list of parents and teachers to work together for the common goal of educating and raising children in this community.
We at our school have a teacher Rep who attends all the meetings and reports back to the staff about our events and meetings etc. We also have her send a reminder and invitation to all school staff members inviting them to every meeting. Sometimes they come and sometimes they don't. But as long as they know the role that the PTO plays in the school and that it's not necessarily a right, but a priviledge to have us there, then there's no question when you don't bend over backwards for them and give give give without getting a little in return.
I would start with a brochure out of the blue for them. Good luck.
