This year I feel that our teacher support has dropped off as well. Maybe a letter to the teachers explaining your situation and why you need them involved. Or attending a staff meeting and ask them directly. They are like anyone else unless you look them in the eye and ask - you might not get too far.
Our teachers are automatic members of our PTO and we have two teacher rep positions on the Board. Generally, only teachers who are also parents take a leadership role - running a committee or such.
In our view, the teachers support us primarily with their work in the classroom. They make sure notes get home, provide valuable feedback, promote PTO events, collect money, remind students of deadlines, etc.
On our big Spring Fling event, the principal requires that each teacher attend and sign up to help in some ways. Those that have an unavoidable conflict find a way to help before or after the event. No one seems to begrudge this.
This is funny--I just posted a question in the same vein on the Principals/Teachers board! (Though I guess in retrospect my question leaves a something to be desired when it comes to diplomacy)! The bylaws we wrote include them as members, but they can only vote/be on the board if they have children in the school. We felt they would be more apt to act in the children's best interests that way. I totally agree that stronger teacher involvement is in everyone's best interests. My question though was more about what to do with teachers who basically just have their wish lists, and HOW to get the teachers motivated/involved without losing that impartiality thing. Check it out on the Principals/Teachers board. Thanks! [img]smile.gif[/img]
In our group, teachers are considered members just like any parent: they vote, they can run for board positions, etc. This year we have two teachers in board positions. They provide great insight into the school operations and a different perspective on the programs needed. Granted we don't get as many teachers at meetings as we would like, but when you consider the percentage of teachers who attend to the percentage of parents who attend they are very involved. Plus I know that they go back to their coworkers and communicate what happened at meetings. Like many of us they lead very busy lives and can't make it to everything. Just keep making sure that they know their involvment is wanted and needed.
We are in the same boat. We tried to get them to meetings by having them right after school last year, but that left us with just a ton more kids! So when we wrote the bylaws we put a teacher rep postion on the executive board with a full vote and everything! It is helping to at least get one teacher opinion on what we are doing and she helps to steer us in the right direction as well. Our executive board meets the week before the regular meeting at school before school in the morning. We review funds and go over the requests for the teachers and other such business with our teacher there! Hope it helps!
We list a 'teacher advisor' as a member of the board. This member can rotate each month or remain the same. S/he brings a different view into the discussions regarding purchases, future plans, etc. Our by-laws simply list the members of the board as 'teacher advisor' along with the normal P,VP,Sec,Tr etc. We also have the prinicpal listed as a member of the board. She reviews teacher requests before bringing them to our meetings. She plays an important role in helping the volunteers understand how things work within the school and the district. Plus, it's important to keep the administration 'in the loop'.
The bylaws we wrote include them as members, but they can only vote/be on the board if they have children in the school. We felt they would be more apt to act in the children's best interests that way. I totally agree that stronger teacher involvement is in everyone's best interests. My question though was more about what to do with teachers who basically just have their wish lists, and HOW to get the teachers motivated/involved without losing that impartiality thing. Check it out on the Principals/Teachers board. Thanks! [img]smile.gif[/img] 
