I'm sorry I didn't see this before your meeting, but working with the principal will be an ongoing process, so hopefully these comments might still help.
For me the absolutely most critical question is "what should be the main functions of the PTO and in what priority?" Do they want you to focus on fundraising, teacher appreaching, what activities do they want the PTO to "own"? How much are they hoping the PTO will helps with extras and thus how much focus should there be on fundraising.
Next - establish what will be the best lines of communication with the principal and how much he/she should weigh in on what items. You don't want the Principal running the show, but he/she must be an integral part of the planning.
Also - what school resources can you use, what is the proper procedure? This includes getting something on the master calendar, using space, storing PTO items, sending literature home with the kids, receiving feedback from teachers, etc.
No matter how great your relationship, sooner or later some kink will crop up. It will be easily solved if you have a good, solid foundation of communication and agreement of process before any problems surface.
Hi all! Tommorrow I have a meeting with our principal about PTO organization. We don't have a PTO yet but are working to get one going. Our first step is meeting with the principal tomorrow to get her input and opinion. She has already said she has no objectiions to a PTO so this meeting is basically to ask questions and just get the lines of communication going from the get go. I have a list of questions/comments that I've thought of but am sure I am leaving things out that would be good to talk about at this first meeting. Any topic suggestions would be greatly appreciated and any suggestions as to things to do and NOT do in starting a new PTO would also be very much help.
