Question: Principal and PTO Monies

We are a PTO for a charter middle school. We have no Bylaws and took over a dormant PTO last year. We understood that our monies were "separate" from school's although they are in the same bank account. According to the Principal there was a school budget shortfall and she had to use our money (ALL $30,000 of it) to make up the difference. She didn't ask; she didn't even tell the President. She sent an email to the Board a few days before the Fall Festival letting us know because we were asking for money to fund the event. We were not told in the beginning of our term that she had the right to do this. Now we don't know how to go forward. How can we prevent this from happening again?

Asked by Anonymous

Answers:

Advice from PTO Today

Rose H writes:
Hi there. Boy, that's a major chunk of money. So sorry to hear this. But, you are in a difficult spot as the bank account is mixed. Do you know, as the PTO has been dormant, if that $30k was all PTO money? To move forward talk to the principal about setting up your group with some real independence, with your own bylaws and bank account. If you are able to do so, set up a bank account as soon as you can. For information on bylaws, go here: How To Write PTO Bylaws, http://www.ptotoday.com/pto-today-articles/article/968-how-to-write-pto-bylaws. We have lots of really helpful information on getting your group up and going if you look in this section here: Bylaws and Nonprofits, http://www.ptotoday.com/bylaws-nonprofit. One other suggestion: Try to hold a simple, potluck this fall and encourage families to come to spend some time together. It will help you to start to build parent involvement.

Good luck and stay in touch!

Rose C.