Thanks - I need all the words of encouragement I can get right now. I have found out that the newspaper is willing to run the "notice" as a news story since it's a new school, and the local access channel will run anything 8 lines, 25 characters or less per line that is sent to them on the "community bulletin board" for any not for profit organization. They can't say I didn't try! All this and we still haven't had elections. Dare I say I hope someone else steps up, wants the position?????? I'm worn out and the school isn't open yet! [img]smile.gif[/img]

I can identify!! I sent a note home with every child from both schools to announce our April PTO meeting. I thought since we were giving a tour of the new addition I would have a big crowd(in spite of the fact that board nominations were also on the agenda) but I had 4 moms from the other school and about 20 from mine. None of the other board's members showed up. It was very discouraging. I plan to keep on communicating any event we have going so we can never be accused of excluding anyone and we are going to continue to work on team building efforts. I have resigned myself to the fact that some people just don't care. Unfortunately, they are usually the ones complaining in the hallway or at the local Y about what they don't like. These last few months have toughened me up and I won't have any problem telling them to come to the next meeting if they want to change things. We have a great PTO at our school(Honorable Mention in the PTO today Parent Group of the Year program) and we(the current board and the folks nominated for next year) will not let that change. We are here for the kids and we'll just keep reminding ourselves of that whenever we encounter an obstacle. It's the most you can do!! Good luck!

O.K. - similar yet totally different dilema and could use your help. Our district is opening several new schools. Let's pretend my new school is # 1. We are drawing students from 4 existing schools each of which has it's own PTO/PTC organization. My kids currently attend the school with the highest percentage of kids that will be going to #1 in the fall of 2002. We have made a proposal to the PTO/PTC of each school EXCEPT the one where my kids currently go - that one is being presented to the board and general meeting in May - requesting that they make a donation of funds from the existing PTO/PTC treasury either as a flat donation or a percentage based on # of kids that will be coming to our new school. Since day 1 we have also sent every meeting notice of the "start up" committee to each of the PTO/PTC and the schools themselves, and the new school already has a newsletter that goes out by mail to every family who is slated to attend this school. Nonetheless, only parents from our existing school have stepped forward to work on PTO for the new school. We've drafted and adopted by laws and had board nominations - elections are scheduled for 5/15. HOW do we get input from the other schools. I, for one, am very excited about breaking ground and blazing new trails - but don't want this to be seen as the "branch office of that other school". I am more concerned about everyone knowing they are welcome than I am about my own popularity. I don't care if everyone likes me as long as they respect me, if that's coming across right? Any suggestions on how we could get more involvement from the other schools before elections so they feel as if they are involved, or are we doing enough and should just accept that they don't want to be a part of this? HELP!

We(both PTOs) are having our books audited so there can be no accusations of mishandling funds or how funds were spent. Because the other school's PTO will for all intent, no longer exist, their funds will then be transferred into our account and we will start next school year as one organization. You should try to get all the boards together(or at least represenatives from each) and work out a formal plan for this transition. Money matters get people really excited, so make sure you follow any bylaws or regulations of the PTO and school district and that you have the support of your membership for all moves you make. Believe it or not I think this was the only issue we DIDN'T have trouble coming to terms on. Good luck!

My school will be going through something similar to this. Our school district has three towns that were consolidated in the 1960's. The high school has been together since then, but the elementaries have continued in their original buildings. This year we will be starting on a new building that will house all the kids, K-12. I fully expect to run into all of the personality and logistical issues that are being discussed. One of my main concerns, though is how to handle the financial merger. Does anyone know of any guidelines or suggestions on how this we should go about this? I believe our PTO generally has significantly more money than the others. I could easily see this being a touchy issue. We live in a rural, relatively poor district and there is already a lot a tension between the different towns - based frequently on money issues.

I have spoken with the offending parent and other President. I'm not sure my board member gets it, but she has been quieter. The other Prez has calmed down and we're getting back to the business of putting our schools together(she and I get along great and can talk for literally hours). The nominations for next year happen at our meeting next week. I've approached some of the parents from the other school to put throw their hats in the ring and have a couple prospects. It could be interesting since our board for the last few years has pretty much just been a rearrangement of the previous year. It's difficult to get parents to commit to the work load our board takes on. In an effort to get more parents involved, we are breaking down many positions to co-chairs and committees. The idea being that a smaller job may not seem as frightening. I hope it works, 'cause frankly, I'm kind of pooped! I plan to run for Prez again, because I've committed so much time and effort to this transition and I'd like to see it through. The only difficlt spot I see is if the problem board member runs for something she may get shot down. That would probably be for the best since we have a tough road ahead of us next year, and I plan on being very clear about there not being ANY negative comments at meetings or anywhere else by the board members(If I'm re-elected). It should be VERY interesting!!