Thanks so much for everyone's help. We had the luncheon this afternoon and I sat with all of the other PTO and Parent Advisors to listen to this proposal. We were basically told by the head of the school board that if we couldn't be 100% behind supporting this millage then it was best for us not to say anything about it at all because people would be able to tell that we weren't for it. He also told us that if we chose to vote NO for the millage or if other people chose to vote NO for it that we talked to, that we should try to tell them to just not vote at all.
I realize that they want to get this passed real bad, but I don't feel that it is my place or anyone else’s for that matter to tell another parent to either vote YES for the millage or not to vote at all.
I let them know that I would give the information to the principal and the teachers at the school just as it was presented to me and that I would also make their brochures available on a side table at our two parent night’s right after school starts. I will neither encourage nor discourage parents one way or another. This way they have the same information that we were provided with and they can make their own informed decision.
At the end they wanted us to give our statement of support in the video they were doing and I as well as a couple of other elementary school PTO president's opted to decline doing so. I did notice that those of us who declined were mostly from the east side of town (lower income families), which this millage is supposed to be helping build a new 5th-6th grade intermediate school to help alleviate the overcrowding issue.
The west side was happy to support it because they can afford it and because the school board just got through building a 5-6 campus for them with no millage. I don't know I just think something is wrong with this picture, but I think that is enough of my ranting for one day.
Thanks again for all of the advice, it really helped!
I'm with Tim and Daddio....as a member, I would be terribly upset if our President said "Our group loves this measure and supports it 100%!" Said enough, a few years ago we did have a Board member that was very political and some of the things she said and supported made me wonder how can she feel so comfortable doing this?
Besides....aren't they being a little assuming that EVERYONE supports this mill levi 100%? Can you respond "It's sad to see our taxes increase again but I'm concerned that our schools are overcrowed."
Our by-laws state specifically (so check your by-laws) the following.
The organization shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene in any way, (including the publishing or distribution of statements) in any political campaign.
It is open to interpretation. I would assume that supporting a way to relieve the overcrowding is fine, but to show support for or against a tax increase a political. I would also get the boards feedback and make the decision as a group.
Do you have time to bring it up with your membership?
You don't necessarily need to decide whether your PTO is for against the proposal; you might just talk about whether your group thinks it's wise for its leadership to be in front of this controversial political issue.
If the group thinks no, then you have a built-in argument in opting out of the photo opp.
By choice I sat in on our districts budget meetings this year. It is mind boggling with all the numbers that are thrown around and how they try to keep everything intact. I know it may be hard to speak what you truly feel but it was interesting that as one of the only parents at our meetings they truly wanted my input. Doesnt mean that things went my way=)
Dont be afraid to tell them how you feel, that you support the issue but dont support the raising of taxes. Maybe there are things that you feel waste money in in the district. There is no way I would say something that I truly don't feel. I am surprised that they would even suggest that all of you guys say openly you are for this. Sounds like they want to be able to say "well the PTOS are for it". Be honest with them, just make sure you have some suggestions to go with it. I have found in numerous occasions that if you are prepared to back your feelings they are more apt to listen. I complained about our parent involvement compact and gave suggestions to go with it. Next thing I knew I was sitting in our asst. supers office , he then went to other parent groups and we will be revealing a new compact this fall. Was I nervous, yeah I didnt think they would listen...but they are human as well. Good Luck
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Okay... I don't know if any of you have run into this or not, but I got a call from the superintendents office that they are having a luncheon for all of the district PTO board presidents in order to take their pictures for a pamphlet and video they are putting out about the new millage vote in September. They want all of us to come prepared with a statement of support for this 4 mill increase. Personally I am all for them relieving the overcrowding that they are proposing, but I am completely against them adding on more taxes in this already over taxed county and so are the majority of the people I have talked to about this issue.
How do you politely give your views without making the school board and your school upset about the views you give. Do you lie and say you support it to keep them happy when you don't??? I don't know what to do, this is my first year as president of the PTO and this was just thrown at me from out of nowhere today. I am afraid that when I open my mouth and voice my true opinion that a lot of people are going to be angry and upset about it. What would you or have any of you done in the past in this situation?
