did I read correctly above that you're a parochial school?
If so, that does change things quite a bit (former Catholic school teacher speaking here). In the public schools, when push comes to shove, the parents elect the board and the board hires the super, etc. That gives parents a real strength.
Catholic school parents (though the best Catholic schools don't act this way) are technically more like customers than owners. And as long as the school has a waiting list or the principal or board feels like being persnickety, then you have fewer recourses.
In that case, I find the best solution is a concerted, long-term educational focus on the value of involvement aimed at those decision-makers, so that they'll come to see why you guys are doing what you're doing and how it will pay off handsomely in a better school for all.
Thanks everybody for your excellent and informative comments. I'll be bringing up all of these points at our next board meeting. Thanks again for your time! I really appreciate it. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Go back and check your school board's policies on parent/family involvement: parent groups. Then re read your bylaws. If there is nothing in Board policy that states you need approval from anyone other than your principal, they are just pushing you (and their weight) around.
If the policy isn't clear enough, consider taking the it to an attorney to be looked over and interpreted(it helps if you know one personally who'll do it as a favor and you don't have to pay for it).
Regardless of the policy, I think it is a good idea to keep the Board abreast of your activities. Unless I have something big to report on personally in front of the Board, I usually give our updates to the Student Board Member (a HS senior) for reporting. While we don't the authority problems with our Board that you seem to have, I know our Board members certainly appreciate the courtesy.
Am I mistaken that School Board members are voted into office? I think attending school board meetings or sending them your minutes and informing them of what your plans are is a start, but I think they should keep in mind of how they got there and how they might leave there. Even in parocial schools aren't they just more interested parents trying to better the education of the kids.
Our public school principal is involved with all our plans and attends our meetings, he'd surely let us know if we are outside of district policies.
As a matter of fact our Supt. put together a networking group so the parent groups of over 7 elementary schools, 3 jr highs and 2 high schools can get together and ask the district what's going on and how we can work together. It's slowly gaining momentum.
You both brought up EXCELLENT points and it's definitely something to think about. I'm going to bring up both of these points (tactfully) at the next meeting and see if there is something going on that maybe none of us thought about. And if someone on the board (2 new members) is stiring up the 'stuff', even if they don't speak up (I'm sure they won't), hopefully it will give them something to think about...that this kind of behavior won't serve as anything positive for our group.
I do like the idea of having someone report the upcoming group business at the school board meetings. Maybe if they felt more in the 'loop', they would step back and give us a little less pressure. (crap ...etc.)
Thank you both very much for your thoughts on this! I knew that someone would be able to give me a better perspective on this. Gods blessings!
Our group is actually considered a "committee" to the School Board and report about our activities at the public session of the board meetings. While we have to fill out activity forms for everythign and still go through the approval process like everyoneelse at school, the school board has stepped in only when dire need to help or govern.
SO is there a way you could simply report your activities to the board and discuss the expetations they have.....
...etc.)
