Sounds like a decision has been made, so I'd make the best of it. You've got a surplus of $20,000 and they want $6,000. There's no wrong/right answer here, but they definitely could have made a case for half. So it sounds like their side is trying to be reasonable also.
I'd focus on maintaining a positive relationship with all concerned and doing everything possible to help the kids, parents, school with this transition. The money decision has been made. Focus on supporting the spin-off of the new school and building a good relationship for possible future activities.
The end result was they had a board meeting last night. The current board consists of everyone that is going to the new school.I attended the meeting and suggested that a vote on the matter be postponed until the whole student body was informed of all the facts concerning the matter. They refused and basically voted to give the pto of the new school(which is them 6,000). My argument was not that a gift would not be given but I wanted all the parents who raised the money in good faith to be used at our school to be aware of all the facts then vote at an emergency meeting on the matter.But I guess not.
Ours is also a rapidly expanding district, currently at 14 elementaries, with one opening about every 2 years. All existing PTOs donate to help establish new PTOs. This is something we include in our budget during years when we know an elementary will be opening the following year. I believe we donated $1500 last time and about 20% of our students were moving to the new school. If truly half of your students are moving, then $5000 does not seem out of line.
It seems to me that everyone should already know about the large PTO fund..I do not understand why you would want to hide the dollar amount. I myself would probably be angry to know how much needs done at our school, which was built in 1992 and that the PTO was sitting on such a large nest egg. As for splitting the money with the other new school, and having surplus amount of dollars. I believe I would give them a small start up and after they get settled donate more money or something they need....our school did not have a play ground when we opened, and it took us 3 years before we could afford one....just a thought...
3redheads - if half the teachers and children are moving to the new school, what about the existing school's furniture, supplies, equipment? Is it being split also? Are there adequate funds for these things in the new building?
That might have an impact on your decisions. If you buy more active boards this year, are half of them likely to go to the new building? Or are you sure they will stay?
My concern would be about equipping the children equitably. If the new school has sufficient funds to buy new equipment, it needs less of the PTOs balance - then mostly just some start up funds. If not, then the funds need to benefit both places whether they are spent before the end of school year or not.
Our district is a rapidly growing one. Each new school receives a $300 start up gift from the established schools PTA/PTO's. Adds up quickly to ~$1500 start up fund for the new PTA/PTO. Regardless of how many students are going to the new school, every school is affected due to new feeder patterns that are put into place with a new school opening. It gives a new school a chance to have an activity before their fall fundraiser wihtout 'hurting' the old schools PTA/PTO funds.
