I am wondering what other PTO/PTA's do when guest speakers want to be included on the agenda but their topics are heated debates or political in nature that persuade a town vote. It just doesn't seem appropriate to include this as an objective to our meetings.

I think too many people (from city/town officials to school administration and school committees) think PTO meetings are opportunities to voice their opinions and politic for town elections and town issues, but I think our meetings shouldn't be a place for that. We are not campaign headquarters.

Also, if the PTA/PTO is it's own entity, raising money and managing the account, holding elections etc., how much control does the school administration or school committee have over them? If your group has voted on how to spend money do they have a say in changing that? Do they have a say in the PTA bylaws? Does any PTA here report to anyone?

I know I have quite a few big questions, but it seems that no one wants to be the PTA but when there is one, and there is money, everyone wants it and everyone wants to control it. Advice?