Thanks for your help. Acutally, I think our version of an SDMC may be part of the problem. They are very well intentioned, but they need more input from parents before they make their decisions. This is a parochial school so our pastor and principal has to approve a PTO before it can get started. Our pastor is a wonderful man. Most people, myself included, think he can walk on water. Unfortunately, he can be hard to pursuade so I want to be well informed before I go to him. Some may see this as a gripe session which isn't what I'm looking for.

Our PTO does act as a liason between parents and the faculty. PTO Officer's phone numbers are placed on everything we send out, we wear our PTO namebadges when we are at the school etc so that people know who we are. We've had several parents talk to us about what goes on, rather than try to get details from a teacher etc. They feel they can speak to us because we are "parents" as well. We also do fund alot of necessities that well the school budget would not allow with over 1200 students we have alot of that, but we look mainly toward bridging the gap between parents and faculty.

The goal of each PTO is what the group decides it to be. In those instances that I have been involved, it has been for the enrichment and betterment of the school and student body by bringing together parents, teachers and staff for the common goals. Without trying to read between your lines too much, it sounds to me as if your "issues" surround things like curriculum, staffing, etc. - and not necessarily funding of items not included in the school budget (playground equipment, and "extras") which are what the groups I've been involved with have always done. Our schools have groups like SDMC (shared decision making committees) made up of the principal, a certain percentage of staff members usually elected by the teachers themselves, parents either volunteers or asked to participate by the principal, and community members (local company representatives). These groups work on long-term educational goals based on standardized testing, budgetary concerns, etc. From my gut instinct of what you've discussed, you're looking more at an SDMC type of group. Hope this helps - but feel free to keep on asking questions - that's what we're here for!

My children go to a great school, but lately some issues have come up that have made many parents upset. I really think the problem is that there is no forum where parents and the school staff can discuss issues. I am wondering if a PTO would help. This is a well established school and there has never been a PTO. I want to have as much information as possible before I go to the principal. If you could tell me what the goals of PTOs are and if you have any advice on how to present this to the school staff I'd be grateful.