Is your group a separate entity(a 501c3 IRS recognized non-profit)? If so, then the way the funds you raise are spent is up to the general membership. They have to vote on expenditures(unless that power was given to the executive board or someone else in your by-laws). I would simply go to the principal and tell him to bring a list of the specific needs the school has preferably listed by priority and then present his list to the membership so they can select which specific items they would like to see the PTO's funds go toward.
Personally, I have a problem with PTO monies going for things like office supplies. We should be concentrating our efforts on things that improve the quality of education our children receive not the day to day operating basics of the school system.
Hi everyone, This is the first time I am posting on these Forums. But, I really need some advise. I am the President of our PTO. It is a great bunch of parents and has always ran smoothly. WELL....Our principal is on medical leave. The Interim Principal, to put is mildly, is a jerk. He thinks that he can come in for a few months and really shake things up.
To begin with, the PTO has always had a separate check book from the school. When the principal needs money (She does her own fundraiser in the beginning of the year) she comes to us with the request. We approve it and issue her a check. He wants there to be one check book and the PTO pays for everything! In our town, with the school budgets low, this would even mean office supplies.
Secondly, We had a Ladies Night fundraiser last week for our Media Center. It was a HUGE success. Well, this guy wants to take the amount of money we raised for the Media Center and delete it from her budget. This has us furious!!!! We did a fundraiser to suppliment her pittaful budget. Our kids deserve more!
We are meeting with him this evening and are expecting a fight.
Now for Help.....Does anyone know what the standard practice for the use of PTO funds? Can a principal have control over how you use your funds? I checked our By-laws and it says nothing about the school controlling the funds. It only says that the Principal should get a copy of the Annual Audit.
I don't want this guy to come in and think he can say what we do with our funds that we worked so hard to get. HE IS ONLY AN INTERIM!!! But, we are not sure for how long. I should mention that he is in good with the Board of Education.
