Also, if you raise monies for something...a specific project and word gets out that the funds were used to purchase paper....hope this person is ready to answer to angery villagers with buring torches!
How serious is this medical leave?? I mean, can you get something in writting how the Principal has respected your agreement? Then again, would it help?
It means that you are a separate entity that does NOT operate under the control of the school(some groups operate under the school's non-profit status). It also means that there are certain rules of operation to follow, your by-laws being the main ones. You must also follow IRS rules governing non-profit organizations, which can be found on their website or probably somewhere in your files. The monies you raise must be spent in accordance with your mission statement-do you have one? Ours basically states that we operate for the improvement and enrichment of our children's education.(Scotch tape for the principal's desk doesn't fall under that.) Our by-laws state that any items over $100 must be presented for approval to the general membership(under $100 can be done by board).
If your by-laws aren't that specific, follow Robert's Rules of Order and the IRS requirements if applicable.
He's trying to get out of doing work and making his budget look good.How about bury him in paperwork and busy work. As far as one checkbook tell him you would need to bring such a decision before the general membership and have it voted on and membership would need certain amount of days to be notified and if he could just write up a little detail of what that would entail. For your tax purposes 501(c)3 and bylaws all of his fundraisers and expenses would need budget for the year and be presented to the membership each month. A budget would need to be arrived at and approved by the membership at the beginning of the year. Anything beyond that is approved by members at regularly scheduled meetings. Do you let anybody just ask for a check and get it, without prior discussion? And when it's discussed the answer can by NO! Even if the entire Exec. Board wanted to spend on something we couldn't do anything over $100.
Now I don't know how it is at your school, but part of our principals budget comes from the district and if your principal wants to reduce his media center budget and make it up with your fundraiser. As parents I'd want to know what other wonderful benefit he is supplying by reducing his media center budget. I'd be oversweet, sorry I'm feeling sassy. "why Principal Smith I'm so glad we could free up some of your budget, in our Newsletter, what can we say the money is now being used for?". My bet is he just wants to look good to his board, like look at all the money I saved.
There is no reason for someone to come in and try to change all the rules that were established and been followed. If he wants to change how your group is run, then he needs to bring it to a meeting for a vote. Parent/Teacher Groups are that, not principal run parent groups. Did your original principal have the authority to sign checks? If he insists on trying to run the show and refusing to listen to you, go to your district's attorney and ask them what the district's offical stance is on PTOs in their schools. Most of them will tell you that the principal only has the power that you give them. Also, if you have a budget and raised money telling people it was for a certain cause, then he cannot take that away.
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
We are a separate entity (a 501c3 IRS recognized non-profit). But, what exactly does that mean for us? Does it mean that we as parents are the ones to decide where the money is spent? And do you have any ideas to stop the principal from hurting the media center by lowering their budget?
Ditto to LUVMYKIDS. Do your bylaws state how expenditures are approved? Even if you aren't a separate entity, you have to follow the by-laws. And if you are, what she said!
