At our school we have after school programs. These programs are funded through a Grant that is written to a local group that gets it funding from the Federal Government to promote Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco free environments in our local community. Because our after school programs provide alternatives to kids going home and doing nothing, or teaching them healthy alternatives, and sometimes we do clubs dealing with these issue's, they provide us with the funding. It's a Grant that has to be written yearly and we have to prove that we do what we say we are going to do. And what ever funds are spent over the Grant, the PTO picks up the costs. Therefore, all of our people who do the Clubs are volunteers. We pay for their materials that are needed for the programs. This way we can control what is being done. For example, we had a parent want to give Violin lessons after school. Great Idea but, she wanted to be paid for this service and the Children would have to rent their equipment. Well the After school program cannot afford to pay her, and the PTO will not pick and chose who it will pay for, therefore if the Principal wants to do this, she will have to have that parent organize this herself.
If your programs are paid for by the parents of the students taking the classes, then does you PTO provide funds for the children who can't afford it? Who makes that decision? The problem that I have with that is, really it is none of my business as PTO President and a parent to find out which kids need help. And how do you know that they really do need the help. I know that sounds cruel, but if you are a public school, then you deal with all kinds of people. If you are a private school, then I guess that decision could be left up to the group.
Only my opinion anyway, but good luck to you in finding out your answers. Don't give up if you think something is wrong, if it's not, you will get your answers.
