I would like to develop a form that needs to be completed for expenditure requests through our PTO that includes a detailed rationale for why the request is needed. Does anyone have or use such a document as part of their expenditure approval process? Lately I have noticed a lot of requests from our PTO for peripheral items that have no direct benefit to the kids (rugs, sweepers, computer for recording staff attendance etc.)or their educational experience. My feeling is that many of these items should come from the operating budget of the school. I would appreciate any information that you could provide. Thanks.
Rich This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Our principal has nothing to do with how money is requested or spent except her vote as a board member. When she did have a say in it, expensive lunches were getting catered and money was being spent left and right but not going into the school. This is why our bylaws make a point to say the principal is just a member and does not have the sole right to approve funds just actions and she does not oversee or control what our group does.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
This is a very timely question for me because I'm trying to figure out exactly WHO decides how this money is to be spent. We are sitting on alot of money right now...our private school's budget is in the red and the BUDGET needs our money for budgetary-type things, not the "extras" that most parents envision we supply. Sometimes at meetings, a parent gets this "fabulous" idea and before you know it a motion has gotten thrown out, approved and money spent. We have GOT to get a group. The principal is sort of slow to move but next week I'm going to meet with him to urge him to come up with some "needs" that parents will buy into (there are alot). He know longer allows teachers to come directly to us with their requests; it all must go to him..
Just my rambling thoughts. I always love to hear how other groups do it.
Shelly
We develop a detailed annual budget that includes several categories which end up going right back to the school in some form. We rely on our principal to decide what needs funding and what doesn't, so the parents aren't judging the merits of a teacher's request. With our budget laid out like it is, we set a budget amount for "Educational Materials", for example, and the principal can request up to that amount for purchases that fit the general description of an educational material.
If we have a fundraising surplus, then the members vote on requests presented by the principal. (I can't remember our members ever denying a request -luckily we have a very good relationship with our principal.) We don't debate the request,just ask him to explain it.
Basically, each teacher is guarenteed an amount for their classroom and they just submit a request before they need the money. We ask that all requests be turned in before 2 the day of the meeting. And this is the big one, ALL requests must be submitted BEFORE purchase. We have a budget that we stick pretty close to and then we also except other requests as long as the money is there and those are voted on by the board for approval. Hope that helps.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
