One has in it's bylaws that no school employee or managerial level district employee can be an elected officer (Pres, VP, Sec. Treas, Parlimentarian). But they can be committee chairs. All checks must be signed by two parties. The president, treasurer, and principal (a board member) are possible signers. The books are maintained by the treasurer (who could not be an employee of the school.)
My second PTO has had teachers/school employees serve in key positions in the past, including as President. The principal is on the board, but not a co-signer on the checks. In that one, the treasurer prepares the checks and keeps the books, but one of the co-presidents signs it.
In either case, a school employee could potentially be a check signer. But two board members are involved in the processing of all checks.
I agree with ScottMom#1 - there are other ways to protect your funds from misuse. Many PTOs do allow teachers/school employees to be officers on the PTO. If that is acceptable and works for you, I wouldn't let this opinion get in the way. But anyone having sole check writing authority is a concern. Requiring two signatures is a good practice.
In our case, the bank we are moving to does not allow/enforce two signatures. Hence our decision to have the check writing be a two step process. That still means two board members are involved.
If you want this person to maintain their position then you can have all transactions require 2 signatures or have two members other than the president sign checks. If your group has a problem with this person being president, then discuss this at your next meeting including the suggestions from your auditing company. Personally, I have never been comfortable with transactions being signed for by only one person.
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
I am from a very small district and our PTO has only a handfull of members. The current President is a district teacher and this person is also the check signer. Our districts auditing company recently told us that having a district employee as the President and check signer is very inappropriate as it would potentially give the district total control of the PTO. It was suggested by the auditing company that this person step down as President. This person is not taking this news very well. Does anyone have any experience with this situation? The PTO is spearheading a community project to install new playground equipment and all of the money being raised and grants being aquired are going to the PTO. The auditing company is very nervous about the President being a district employee with sole check writing priviliges. Any insight?
