I've said this before, I don't normally get into these type discussions, but I'm struck as to why you would no longer be involved just because 2 teachers are on the board?? If I was worried about their motives, I would be that much more involved. It seems to me that more parents should jump on the wagon if others are worried too. Especially when you're talking about voting on money issues and such. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the situation, but that's what I would do in this case.
Thanks to all for your candid feedback.
We had our vote and we will have 2 teachers as our PTO presidents next year at my son's elementary school.
I have decided to withdraw my involvement in the PTO because of it. And no, the school won't crumble without me. My daughter attends the middle school so I will focus my energies there instead.
Yes, I agree that we constantly complain about the lack of teacher involvement and here are 2 teachers who want to be VERY involved, so what's my problem?...
I don't know. I only know that I will sit out the school year and watch very closely how these teachers proceed.
How wonderful to have teachers want to be so involved in your PTO/PTA!
granted it is unusual for 2 teachers to want to be president (most of them do not have the time to devote to PTO), but wish them luck.
As to their agenda- remember- the board and the membership have the final say.
If a president wants to do lots of stuff- but does not have board support- it will go nowhere.
One thing to be careful of- we have had teacher representation on our board for years (it is in our by-laws that at least one teacher representative from the school's faculty will be on the board ), but sometimes they think PTA/PTO can "fund" everything. You know just a fundraising operation. We've had to gently remind a couple of them that we fundraise to benefit the school by conducting parent and student programs, etc. In other words- NOT to buy the new microwave for the lounge. (That did not benefit all of Parents, students and Teachers). Sometimes teachers [img]smile.gif[/img] will think only of PTA as "what will they give me".
With that in mind- welcome your new Presidents and I hope you have a good year!
Almost - I sense that your concerns with teachers as the co-prez stems from the potential for "misuse" of PTO money. The best way to avoid that situation is to prepare a comprehensive budget at the start of the year, vote to approve it, and then hold the Exec Board to the budget. [Our bylaws allow the Exec Board to approve unbudgeted expenses only up to $100. Anything higher must be approved by the members.] If you allocate $x for Staff Appreciation, then the SA committee chairs should be allowed to figure out the best way to use their budget to fulfill the purpose of the SA committee. If they believe that buying a stove for the teacher's lounge is better than hosting a couple of SA dinners (or whatever's been done in the past), and the principal says ok, we would say ok. The spending can't get out of control because the budget limits the amount, no matter how much someone nags.
I reread the IRS's definition of conflict of interest in the 501c3 application. The IRS is worried about who might benefit financially from an arrangement. If there are issues that might benefit these teachers directly (like the giving of reimbursement for classroom supplies)then they should remove themselves from the discussion/vote. You could easily explain that with a reference to the IRS form 1023.
Curiously, most PTO's complain about the lack of teacher involvement in their group. I was treasurer one year when both the pres and VP were paraprofessionals at the school. No problem. In fact, it helped the rest of us get better insight to the issues of the staff and the principal. This could be a good thing.
Teachers and staff are encouraged to become active PTO members and are given all the rights accordingly. They can vote and bring topics of discussion to meetings.
I see that many of you don't agree with my...paranoia, and that's good. I truly need to have unbiased opinions, which is why I posted this question to you all in the first place.
I don't know how other schools work, I only know how ours does and it's not pretty. Last year we bought a cot for the nurse and gym mats. Both of these items are outside the realm of what PTO money should be used for. They should be replaced by district budgeted monies, but because the teachers NAGGED us, we forked over the $1500. Now there is a teacher who has been bugging us for 2 years to buy a stove for the teachers lounge. No one can tell me how this stove will enhance our childrens school experience but she is relentless.
Our PTO has been non-stop drama all year. I do believe that our principal is instrumental in getting these teachers to volunteer, as one of our presidents has been a thorn in her side all year.
Our PTOs mission is to benefit the families first, to raise money to support non-district funded programs and fun family acitivities.
Personally I think it's great that you have 2 teachers interested in getting involved in the PTO, it is PTO after all. I think it will have a good impact. Try to think positive about it and give it a chance before you give up, it could be very good.
