Funds do not go directly to the groups around here. We work with each other alot but money is kept seperate. Since our PTO are non profit I feel that it would be an abuse of funds for Title I grant money to our parent groups.
At our school, Title 1 funds can be used in cooperation with our PTO's events-like Family Reading Night-but this money is handled by the principal. For instance, reading night is a qualifying event for those funds, so we decide what to do, like give away books and serve snacks, and they apply for the funds through the district and then they purchase whatever is needed. We have a committee, the School Planning and Management Team, that goes over all requests for funds for Title1, Title3, reading 1st and any other grants and plans the events needed to meet these requirements. My understanding is the process is different with each district and even each school, so I would check with your principal to see who all of this is worked out for your school. Even though it may be different from what you did before, just knowing what's expected will make it easier.
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
That money is earmarked for alot of different things it may be used for educational seminars for parents, it may be used to have an event that promotes family involvement (ours is a big block party-each child gets a free book), it may be used to send parents to national conferences, etc. The amount of money is distributed based on your school's poverty/need percentage and is distributed evenly among ALL schools in your district, in my case that is six schools. It actually ends up being a very small amount in our case. The district actually has power in the main aspect but then each prinicpal has a say on what their part of the money is for. Obviously it must reach criteria, the fact that your old school gave the parent group control over this is surprising to me. Hopes this help!
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Hi All,
My family and I just moved to ALabama. I have always been involved in my children's schools. I served 5 years as P.T.O. President raising over $35,000 for the school. MY question to anyone that may be able to help me is..... There are federally mandated regulations regarding Title 1 Money, I know that there is something regarding Parent Resource Groups ( or PTO's), I know that there is money allocated for the parent committees to fund special event to boost reading, math, and science, language skills. My question is ...does that money go directly to the parent group to decide where best to use it...or is it at the descretion of the principal. I am not sure on the statutes and need help in finding the answer. At my last school, the money went to the parent group as long as they met the federal guidelines. I am lost and would be grateful to anyone that may be able to help me figure this out. Thank You
