Our PTO sponsors and runs the web site for the school. The PTO has a page under the home page of the site. Most of the content is school related (not just PTO related).
Pretty much anything (within reason, of course) that is sent to the Web Master is posted - he does a great job coordinating with the school. I wouldn't say the school dictates the content of the combined site, but the Principal (and the Exec Bd for that matter) have great influence and veto power over what might be posted.
I prefer having "stand alone" PTO websites and newsletters. Our website is part of the school website (though designed as if it were "standing alone").
Because it is part of the school website, changes & additions have to be uploaded to the server via one computer at school, which happens to be in the front office so I have to coordinate with the front office when changes have to be made.
If your board approves the content of the website, then there should be no concerns about legalities.
It's a great tool for publicizing events, fundraisers, etc.
I am Secretary for our PTO this year, and I have created a "prototype" website for our use. Our school has their own website, and we have one page on that, but are unable to access/change it, so I would like us to have a 'stand alone' site that we can change and utilise as we wish (without offending the Principal, of course!).
My ideas are being greeted with some hesitation from the other PTO officers, who seem worried about the legalities, etc of my idea, and have asked me to research other PTOs and gather some feedback from those who have their own sites.
So, if your PTO does have it's own website, could you please share what you see as being the "Pros and Cons" of it?? Is your site part of the school website, or stand alone? Does the school dictate/moderate your content? Does your site link to the school, and the school to you?
