Okay I read everything and here's my two cents. First of all, you say that you are a PTA? I am 100% certain that she cannot just appoint herself as President. Whether they got parent involvement or not, they still have to go through the motions of an elections and announce the elections. Since they didn't do this, I say you act quick and get someone from State involved. I would also gather the names of the other parents who would like to be involved or interested in holding a position. This may sound like a hostile takeover but when you have a dictator in place, I guess you have to do what you have to do to ensure democracy.
E-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I'll give you more details and who to contact. I'm going into my third year on our State PTA board and I can help you figure it out and what to do to ensure that they hold elections...

You've come to the right place--we're very good at organizing posses here to take care of problems like yours. Just give us her 411 so we know who to target when we ride into Dodge City, and your choice of punishments. Our favorites are usually b!tch slapping or big sticks!

Unfortunately the type you speak of thrive in situations where people hate confrontation. It fuels their fire. Usually it takes another one just like her (like me, I've been told ) to set things straight.

Like I said--consider the posse. We're very discreet.

I think control freaks don't realize that their own behavior is turning people off. They are often "martyrs" who want accolades for doing so much work all by themselves. I'm rather non-confrontational myself and would probably feel most comfortable addressing the situation with the support of my principal and other PTO members. I suggest you read your bylaws and get together with your supporters and schedule that election! You may never convince her of the error of her ways, but with your PTO's bylaws and possibly your School Board on your side, you can make a change in your PTO.

Becoming preident is good advice, but in my situation, the control freak should be going to a new school in the upcoming school year. HOWEVER, she has decided apparently to approve her own transfer into our school for the coming year and to remain the president. I, as well as several other disgruntled parents volunteered for the 1 opening on the board for the upcoming year. We were told they did NO elections this year because they could not get parent involvement, but all parents I have talked to said they were told no thanks or made to feel that they were not wanted or needed. So how in the world do I deal with this woman? I am working with another parent about getting a group together to protest. We are considering protesting to the school board about approving her transfer based on the fact that she technically does not qualify for a transfer. This is my first year that I have been able to devote more time to school. I, too, have 4 children who are 9, 8, 5, and 3 and will be in that school for at least the next 10 years! Ugh!!!! Any advice is great. Thank you! :confused:

I agree, run for President. Don't confront her or make any accusations or statements about her performance, just throw your hat in the ring then get out there and promote yourself. When someone asks why you're running, just say that you have some fresh ideas for the group and would like to provide more opportunities for people to be involved.

Have you thought about becoming PTA/PTO president? That is what I did. Not that our past president was a control freak but the principal is. Our principal likes to have "control" of the PTA and he basically has in the past several years. His motto is "Write the check and don't ask questions". When I started questioning about where the PTA money was going and nobody could give me a straight answer except "the money was donated to the school's general fund", I did some research, asked to see receipts for the amounts of money donated to the general fund and found out the treasurer had none. This was at the end of the last school year. I let it be known that I would like to run for President, got nominated, voted in and really did a lot more research and what I found out what astonishing. Most of the money the PTA raised went into this "general school fund" and there are no records of what it was spent on. My current treasurer and I added up over $45,000 worth of "donations" and there is not one receipt as to what it was for. I have called the state PTA treasurer to find out what to do and to make a long story short, IF and that is a big IF we are ever audited, one, my treasurer and myself can not be held liable (thank goodness), and two, NOT to donate any amount of money without receipts. The prinical did NOT like this. We have butted heads a lot this year but he knows where I stand. He doesn't like this and he knows I'm not going away anytime soon. I have 5 kids from ages 10 to 6 months that will cycle through the school and I will be involved every year on the PTA board if possible.