This might be a stupid question- but if this company owns the school, wouldn't giving the principal a laptop just be a business expense for them? Or is this a different company? I think legally it would be ok. You can accept a donation. You can make a donation to the principal. ( I assume this would be for school use.) Anything used at the school could be argued to make the school better for the kids. (But I guess if the company has its own stipulations, this is moot) That being said, this is weird. Too weird for my likes. Apparently, this family was just trying to help out the principal & thought they would try to get around the fact that your school is owned by a for profit. It was a nice idea, I guess, but just a little bit sneaky. I would not vote to accept this "gift" and would certainly not be the one to sign for it.

maybe i am missing something here, but if they want the principal to have it so bad, then why can't they donate it to the school itself? why go around your elbow to get to your nose?

plus, it is a gift. you should be able to use it where it is needed most.

good idea calling the company--keeps you from lookinglike a bad guy and causing more issues.

Me neither- thanks, not trying to be arguementive (this time) regardless of the bylaws and mission statement. and your right 'it wouldnt be crazy to decide different'

I personal wouldnt like a mission statement that didnt affect students almost exclusively

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• Copiers - homework, parent involvment, etc</font>
• computers- lab, all classrooms, library, AV- presentations- for all to use including Principal)</font>
• digital equip- for all to use -even staff</font>
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• trees grass/ feild/ gardens</font>

Now if the laptop was bought or donated by whomever and given to AV dept (then Princ could use for whatever- but not exclusively- i.e. it couldnt live in his office) I think that would be okay

The other its almost like a perk, kickback idea and that would worry me.

I'm glad we can agree to disagree but still agree on some of the points ('cuz I agree with your overall statement- 'make the school a great place, presentations, use, etc)

Thanks- I'm done being longwinded- and understand more of U

[ 09-12-2006, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

Originally posted by Shawn:
How would buying a computer or giving a computer thru a 3rd party to the Principal (he doesnt teach- he's an administrator) be fitting the PTA/PTO mission?

It doesnt benefit the students one iota.. (ie Programs, Events or curriculum)

Hi Shawn --

I don't know this school and I don't know this PTO's mission statement.

But I know of a lot of PTOs where the mission is broader than just providing things that directly touch the students. That's one way to look at the parent group mission, but many groups have a mission more like: "help make the school a great place."

And I can think of a lot of instances where the principal having a laptop could be a good tool. Maybe the laptop will make presentations for parent group meetings and parent events much easier (allow principal to shoot powerpoints onto the wall of the cafeteria). Maybe principal has real outdated desktop and only computers this company is donating are laptops (principal having an up-to-date machine could be good for the school). Maybe principal can manage school website from home and school, if he works off laptop. Who knows? Lots of ways that *could* be good for the school (which -- in the end -- could be good for the kids).

So it sounds like Colleeen has made her decision, and it's a perfectly fair one. But I don't think it would have been crazy -- in the right circumstances -- to make a different decision in this case.

Tim

Sounds to me like they wanted to donate to the school, through the 501c3 to make it deductible.

The part that is confusing is that the school is owned by a private company. Doesn't the school still have 'school' exemption? If not, gifting anything to the school is a tough issue, I think.

We stipulate what donations are to be used for all the time. Nothing wrong with that, until they are stipulating that the item be given to someone else. Why use your group at all?

How would buying a computer or giving a computer thru a 3rd party to the Principal (he doesnt teach- he's an administrator) be fitting the PTA/PTO mission?

It doesnt benefit the students one iota.. (ie Programs, Events or curriculum)

Now if it were going to school for computer lab, classroom use, library, afterschool reading /writing program. Then yes I'd agree it might be doable thru a 3rd party.

It sounds fishy, it smells fishy, therefore if word got out it would be perceived as fishy... I see absolutely no benefit to anyone except principal (and cant he afford to buy his own?) and way to many negatives

My .02

He has a district supplied desktop with monitor in his office?
If yes what's his need? if no need? Just a luxury item- time saver- $$ saver (desktops are just as cheap)

If the issue is portability of data/info -- ScanDsic USB (1-200MB)(the little disc on a shoestring) are as low as $20

[ 09-12-2006, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]