mommytlc;126741 wrote: I agree that people shouldn't use PTO meeting time to discuss certain school issues, however, our new principal encourages our parents to bring up comments, complaints, or concerns at every meeting.

Just be careful here. PTO meetings are for PTO business.

We have the principal make a report of what's going on around campus at each meeting -- special programs, repairs, plans, problems -- and she can field some questions, but if this Q & A goes beyond a general report, it is the President's job to say, "We are heading outside the realm of PTO business. Can you discuss this further after we adjourn?"

I have done this a few times, and our principal is very cooperative regarding staying late to talk with anyone.

I have also instructed members that I know well to make a motion to "call for the orders of the day," which is a member's way of trying to bring a meeting back on task. Noone has ever done it, though.

When I am not president any more (someday!), I know that I'll be making that motion a lot.

I agree that people shouldn't use PTO meeting time to discuss certain school issues, however, our new principal encourages our parents to bring up comments, complaints, or concerns at every meeting.

I think you and the principal handled it well, considering the circumstances. We've all been ambushed once... My "party line" is to say something like " Thanks for the inquiry regarding xyz situation, but as you can see, that's not on our agenda this evening, so if you would like, we would be happy to put it on the agenda for the next meeting." It always works- people who come in with their hackles up who have the intention of ambushing are usually quickly put in their places, and are embarrassed that they did not follow basic protocol- and their CLEAR motive is quickly and diplomatically squashed!

It sounds as though things were handled very well, mainly by your Principal.

And it also sounds as though if this, I mean when this, happens again you'll be ready.

But, as a fellow President I believe that I would have handled things slightly different. Although your Principal handled the situation the meeting is under the President's control. As President I would have stopped things right away to send the message "not at my meeting"! I think after about one minute into it it was pretty obvious what these three were doing. I would have waited for the appropriate moment and then taken over the conversation from the Principal and stated, as you have mentioned "that this is not the appropriate venue for this and that for questions of this nature parents a free to schedule a meeting with the Principal".

Also, I'm not sure if you use an Agenda, but I do. I always forward my proposed agenda to the committee members beforehand and ask them for anything that they would like added to it. That way there's no surprises. I don't think one of them would have e-mailed you to have this added, but once they started you could have used the tag line "this is not on tonight's agenda" to get back to topic.

But once again, I'm glad it worked out and that you feel ready for this the next time it happens.

-President Jim

Last year I had my first ambush also. It was my first year as pres and I probably had the same face dropped jaw and all. But one of my fellow officers who is a PTO lifer said the same as Crew Chief to me.
Real them back to topic and say this isnt the time or place the principal would be happy to discuss anything further latter on.

We do have a great principal at our school she has come to our rescue several times and told the parents right out that its not the time or place for it. But she's recpectful too.

Your officially a PTOer now!!!!


Cindy

I think you did just fine, Nic. It was your first 'ambush'. Welcome to the club! It's a rite of passage and I'm sure every leader on this board has been through one. You're doing absolutely the right thing now by saying, "Next time, I'll be ready!" Good for you.