I agree with most of what venzmama said. I am the VP of a public school PTO and I believe (and our bylaws back it up) that the funds should be kept totally separate. Requests for funds from the administration is ok because the membership votes on expenditures. But Board oversight is a bit out of line in my eyes.
Much the same goes for the bylaws. Recommendations a ok, but direction is not.
Okay, that makes things a little more clear. The school board should not have any say about your elections if you are following your own bylaws. If your bylaws are like most PTO's...1 or 2 year terms with a term limit of two years (this differs among groups, but is what I see most) are the norm. Elections are done yearly with a nomination committee consisting of members in good standing, but not members of the executive board. And so on. What could they possibly want to change??
Our finances are strictly under the control of the PTO. We are a separate entity. The administration can give us direction for spending, but do not dictate this. Our board of directors are also parents and therefore members of the PTO. They certainly have a voice, but no more so than any other member. Some PTO's who post here co-mingle their money with their schools as directed by the district. As a private school, you should have an option to do this or not. Are your BOD's paid or volunteer positions? Are they parents? Whether there is financial inproprieties or not, I'm not for co-mingling the finances!
The school's Board wants to codify election procedures and terms for PTO President--procedures and terms which conflict with the current PTO bylaws and without inout from a majority of the members.
As far as the money stuff goes, the Board has a track record of fiscal mismangement, and taking money from restricted funds. Wanting PTO money out of the school's comingled account is an attempt to ward off trouble before it can begin.
I want an active PTO that works closely with both the Principal and the Board, but don't have a lot of trust in the Board's fiscal integrity, or the Principal's abilities at this point.
I don't think you have given enough information to really get all the response you want. I am also the PTO president of a small, private school and we're very active/proactive yet our administration and BOD don't mind...why exactly are they concerned? Can they change your bylaws? No. You are a separate entity. But you are a group representing the school so your bylaws should reflect what's in the best interest of the school. Financial reporting? That shouldn't be a problem. If you fall under their liability or if you use their tax i.d. you don't really have a choice. If you have your own i.d. and insurance, it's your responsibility. But again, you a group representing the school so why shouldn't they know your finances? What exactly is it that they want to change and why do you think that is? :confused:
I am the PTO President at a small school [<200 parents]. Under my term, the PTO has become much more active and proactive on behalf of the parents. This has obviously made the President of the school's Board and the Principal very nervous. The Board President convened an ad-hoc committee to examine the structure of the PTO--which has its own bylaws. The committee is suggesting recommended changes in the school's bylaws which would dictate PTO elections-- when, terms of office, etc..., structure, require financial reporting, etc....
Many of the suggested changes are in direct conflict with the current PTO bylaws.
