Our school district is very large and yet we do not have a SAC, SAF, or SIT. We have a PTO only and their bylaws state that the PTO is not allowed to seek to influence school policy in any way. Our only option for voicing our concerns is to attend a school board meeting and I think the district to too big to have any interest in the concerns or opinions of one parent.

I don't even have a way of asking the advice of other parents at our school because we have no forum whatsoever. The PTO is exclusively an organization that decides what extra things to buy and what fundraising we'll do to buy them.

What happened to parent organizations? I could swear that in the 1970's when I was a kid, parents went to the PTA meeting to bring up their concerns. Even though they weren't a decision-making body, they were certainly an avenue to unite parents together in a common cause and their numbers were able to exert influence.

Wow, this is a real hot button issue in itself! I believe whole-heartedly that our purpose as a PTO is to build the relationship between parent and school. We are a safe haven for those parents who would probably never approach an authority figure on their own, but would like their voice to be heard. Those of us who have been involved, be it one year or many more, represent to these parents a platform to start from. Some of our parents have never really stepped foot in the schools past the front office!

This is not to say that a meeting is the right place for extended discussion, it is the responsibility of the President to hinder lengthy debate. If you put yourself in the shoes of other parents you are likely to find that a meeting is the first step in steering these concerns to the appropriate parties. What should be off limits are any private matters, such as disappointment with staff or personal student issues.

Don't ever forget that the goal is to increase parent involvement, not squelch it. Being able to balance your meetings with PTO business and important discussions is what will help your group grow!

Our high school PTSO has a great two-way relationship with the principal. When I took over as president, I asked that she or an assistant principal come to every meeting and they have section on the agenda called Principal's remarks. She always comes to our meetings and shares current/interesting news about the school and is always willing to answer questions or concerns. As the president, I am careful not to let things get out of hand or go on too long but the parents seem to appreciate this opportunity and the principal says she is glad to be able to hear from the parents in this manner.

I think that ANYTHING that parents a concerned with may be talked about at a PTO level. We would always ask if they have spoken with the principal or other district officials and suggest that they do so... but with the help of our talented volunteers we can help with solutions to each item. Our district officials and school site officials often come to us when they need parent info.....

So I think that as long as the language is kept school appropriate with appropriate content, then there is no problem discussing anything at PTO level..

And I think you're seriously limiting the good you can do by saying the PTO's role is trying to better the school only through fund raising and fun, family events. PTOs in my school district have successfully advocated for redesigned parking lots to improve safety when dropping off and picking up kids, and for greener practices in school cafeterias, including a very successful effort to use more locally grown food, among other things. To me, it's hard to think of a more natural place for parents to talk about such things than a PTO meeting.

I think that for the school that don't have Site Based Decision Committee should be pushing to have them, but I don't believe that the PTO is the place for those things. The parents that have issues should work up the ladder starting with the Principal then to the Superintend if needed.

While the PTO isn't just about fund raising, they are not in anyway a group that has any control over policies in the school or coming from the board of education. The PTO is a group that is trying to better the school for the children through fund raising and fun, family events.

For those school that don't feel welcomed at the school board meetings, go anyways! You are have a right to be there. That or a SBDC is the place to voice concerns on things of that matter.