Queen Bee and the PTruddyA

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One of the Queen Bee mums at school has been head of the PTA for several years. Every AGM she hasn't offered up the position to anyone else, so no one has asked. It's an elephant in the room but everyone wants a peaceful life, so everyone cracks on. But after a term of well publicised (by her) disgruntlement with the school's performance, she has taken her two darlings out and put them at a local school nearby.

But here's the rub. She's not stepping down. She says it's fine to do it because there's no rule that says she can't. But she isn't a parent now nor a teacher, but she says she is still affiliated because she's also a governor. The new school has a PTA but she doesn't want to join that one.

Queen Bee doesn't work, and has done a huge amount for the PTA and I think it forms a huge part of her identity. But I know several mums (and one dad) who would consider themselves up for the job.

She's just sent round class updates on the WhatsApp groups as school starts next week. I thought it odd, asked her about it but nope, she's sticking to the groups and the PTA. No discussion.

I just think it's a bit unfair. AIBU to think she should stop being a massive fucking control freak and back off and let someone else have a turn? Glad I got that off my chest...

Very strange. what type of governor is she? parent or something else? If she has been a pain at school, I imagine they will be keen to have her removed. Does your school website show what the rules are for joining the PTA? Governors terms end and people have to be voted back in. I wonder how a PTA works. It seems ridiculous that she is staying in the WhatsApp groups. Is she is all of them or just the ones for her children's classes? I can only assume she is doing it because she doesn't have much of a life outside of school. I wonder if she is now regretting stomping off to another school?

I think she’s a parent governor and yes she’s staying on all the groups, which she ‘ran’ and relayed school information (ie. Copied and pasted the dojo thing)

Kick her out the group if her kids have left the class

Does the Clerk/Governance Professional know she's also in charge of the PTA? Most would consider it a major conflict of interest, as she could be voting on things such as major purchases whilst she also has control of the account, so it removes a level of independent oversight.

Also, how long as she been a governor for and which type? It's worth checking if she has outstayed her term or elections have not been held for Parent Governors when they should have been. If she's a Foundation or co-opted governor, the board would have appointed her and would therefore make the decision on term and renewal, but if it's parent, then if her term is up, it's time for an election which will require others to step up and be considered.

I think it’s quite normal to be a governor when your child isn’t at the school. It’s better really as you are independent. A public spirited thing to do. Staying on at the PTA is weird though. Why would you want to?!

Is she the only admin for the class WhatsApp groups? How does she not realise how strange it is to be sending messages out on s class WhatsApp when you are no longer in the school. It's like a scene from Motherland. From September she won't be receiving the communication from school anyway about what is happening so she shouldn't have any more messages to send out in that respect. Are you brave enough to send out curious lighthearted responses whenever she does send something??

Is the PTA affiliated with Parentkind? If so, they have advice on things like this and would be happy to talk it through with you. They have a Facebook page where you can post questions, and the responses are usually very helpful.

Really, she shouldn't stay a parent governor if she's not actually a parent at that school.

I don't know about the PTA. More than a bit odd to carry on when she's removed her children from the school.
Hoepfully she'll loose interst soon.

it's normal and good practice but in this case she has since left the school because she doesn't think they are good enough - surely that will make things awkward at future meetings. I doubt the head will trust her now.

What does the PTA constitution say about committee members?

We had to change our pta to a parents and friends when we wanted to keep a couple of committee members on after their children left as the constitution outright stated they had to have children at the school.

If she’s a parent governor surely she will need to now resign as she no longer has children at the school - what does the school governance documentation say?

is there a small group on the PTA committee that can instigate a coup? It sounds like it’s time for someone new to do a year or two as chair. The constitution should require a limite to amount of time on the board as it’s best practise to have some rotation

she sounds unhinged.

Its not exactly a coveted role

There will be something in the constitution of PTA or governors that means this won't last long... wait until September when people are back and realise.

Wow, I know a woman locally and this sounds exactly like something she would do. I do honestly wonder about people sometimes. I'd say she's a pain in the back side for that principle.
I'd be definitely looking at ways to push her out.

When is the next agm?
Just stand against her.

Doesn't solve the PTA problem, but set up rival WhatsApp groups that exclude her.

The PTA must have lections of some sort? Make sure you all unite behind an alternative candidate to get rid of her.

Boycott the PTA meetings until she goes? She sounds insufferable.

Why are you all being wet lettuces?

What is the process of choosing a new PTA head? Do that and tell her she is no longer the head of the PTA.

The PTA will have a constitution, which will tell you if it allows “friends” of the school, ie anyone who is neither a parent nor a teacher. If there is no “friends” in the constitution, she cannot stay. Being a governor entitles her to absolutely nothing.

Being a governor and being on the PTA is not automatically a conflict, but it does need careful management.

Too often being chair of something becomes their person’s identity and it does the organisation no favours.

Being a governor and being on all those parent groups is ill advised, and could cause conflict.

In maintained schools she does not need to resign as a parent governor if her children are no longer at the school, she is allowed to see out of her term of office. It might be different in an academy.

I bet she is a nightmare for the head and teaching staff. It is people like that which makes PTA stand for People To Avoid.

What do you mean she hasn't offered up the position of chair? Surely its a vote?

At the next agm, someone can just say id like to chair and then everyone votes and shes no longer the chair.