I couldn't agree more! You have no idea how lucky you are to have as much participation from your teachers!!!!!!!!
THese are just nominations too, right? Well, you election will decide the fate.
As JHB stated much better than I going to again, going in and changing the by-laws to close the change of a teacher EVER sharing the privlage of PTO Board memeber is a bad idea. Our staff of over 100 were excluded from school board elections (different issue but same result) last spring and many are still very hurt and offended that they vote, thoughts, ideas, conserns ment nothing. I can tell you this is NOT a good enviroment for teaching because if they ain't happy.......you know the rest.
I belonged to one elementary school PTO that had a large board (officers, school reps, class reps, committee chairs) of 25+. In those bylaws, school employees couldn't serve in any of the 5 elected officer positions. But they could be members of the board via other positions (as committee chairs). Specific board positions also included Principal, Vice Principal, plus 2 teacher reps.
For our middle school PTO, there are no limitations. The school nurse was president for a couple of years. The attendance officer was co-pres last year. Usually when a teacher or staff member is an officer it's because they are also a parent, but that's not required. Both times it worked out well.
I'd be careful about how it looks to amend your bylaws to restrict teacher participation just as this one particular person decides to run for office. That might come across as vindictive if it's the only change. And typically bylaws changes have to be voted on at a general meeting.
Hello,
We just held our general election and we received 3 ballots with most of the nominees being teachers. We do not have wording in our bylaws stating that teachers or school staff CAN'T be board members only that they have to have a student at our school. (of course I will be amending the Bylaws at the next Board meeting)
Currently, our Board consists of President, VP, Secretary, Treasurer, Principal, 2 advisors and 2 appointed staff members. One of the teachers is currently an appointed staff member and I think she wanted to have more money power. I believe our principal will not approve of this anyway. I have mixed feelings. I don't think the entire board should consist of staff but maybe one member could be. On the other hand, they currently have 2 voting member ability and I think we could get ourselves into trouble be giving them more power and I also believe it could be abused.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation and if so what did you do?
Thanks This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
