Personally I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet...
One question thhat we all still need answered is whether or not your group is an independant 501C group. This is extremely important for us to understand just what rights your group may or may not have...
We all would also like to know whether you are the President or not, as it should really be up to that person to try to resolve this issue...
Here's some points...
The children earned the money and when this fundraiser was promoted I assume it was for the specific purpose of Field Trips. This is understood and as such I can somewhat see the reactions that you are getting. But lets look at this a bit more...
You explained that this money was allocated for the Field Trips but the teachers never ended up taking advantage of them. I had a similar problem this past year at my school. Ever since 9/11 Field Trips were not allowed by the now retired Principal. When our new Principal first came on board one of the most anticipated questions was whether Field Trips would be allowed again, which they were.
We allocated about $7 per student to help offset the costs, which we thought was amazingly generous. This was $3500 overall.
In the end two grades used the funds, and one other grade requested if they could instead have an in-school invited program (like a play). Personally I am somewhat against this as I see the Field Trip as an away from school experience, which things in the school are more of an enrichment program, which we already bring in two a year at an overall cost of over $3000 (Ben Franklin and a Colonial America program called Bay Colony).
This was discussed at the last meeting and I pushed for the idea that we promote the allocated funds next year specifically for away from school Field Trips. We approved this in-school one this year as we didn't want to say no after they just came to us, but I hope you guys can see the difference.
Anyway, the reason I mention this is because of why they want the money back. If they are willing to use it for the purpose it was raised for, Field Trips, then I say great. If not then the teachers should not get it. If they are instead asking for an in-school enrichment program then your committee should meet to discuss, but at the same time it's kind of a too little, too late.
The way we are handling it is any funds not used (and two grades did not use theirs) at the end of year it reverts back to the general funds and we can then use it as we feel fit. Of course all we'll end up really doing is allocating it right back to Field Trips for next year, but it is sad that the grades lost out.
My recommendation to you would be to take the not used funds and at the end of the year place it back into your general funds. If the teachers complain about this then your President will need to let them know that "this was a decision that was made at the last PTO meeting and that we would love for you (them) to come to the meetings to present your thoughts on decision of this nature" (or something like that).
If there are still issues then at the very least I would place the funds evenly per each grade in a Field Trip allocation. The funds would be there for next year to be used specifically for Field Trips. Come next year if they still don't want to act upon the Field Trip funds then they stay there until they do.
Unfortunetely the Middle School will have to lose out here, but you also need to think about what would happen if the parents that helped support this fundraiser found out that these funds were not being allocated (or the allocation was changing) for the purpose that the fundraiser was held. As a President I can tell you that I would not want to deal with an irrate parent complaining to me as to why the money little Johnny raised for Field Trips is being used for something else.
Lastly I 100% have to repeat what everyone else has said. If you are not independant (501C) then spend down your funds and become one. If your Bylaws aren't specific to show that the Principal does not have the say of how your funds are spent, how voting is conducted, etc., get then revised.
Good luck and please let us know what happens,
PresidentJim
I want to thank everyone. We the pto stood in front of the board of ed. and they sided with us. the children will get there trips.... Thank God. We still have those teachers who want are heads but they will have to grin and bear it. as for the principal he is now under investigation and we will not back down.. THANK YOU ALL.
I'd let those few teachers know that the 'T' in PTO is for teachers... and if they want to have some say in how the money is handled, then by all means, join the PTO. The school has entrusted your executive board, thru voting, to manage those funds. Those funds were raised by the students/parents, and should not be controlled soley (sp.?) by the teachers. I assume your meetings are not privately held, so if the teachers want a say, then they need to make an appearance at the meeting.
To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
momsway - both groups are PTOs. There's just a difference in how they're set up. The primary difference is:
Independent PTOs have their own 501(c)3 (non-profit) status and typically have more freedom in the way they run their business, finances, bylaws, etc.
School committees use the school's 501(c)3 tax id # and usually fall under the umbrella of the school's admin and/or board of education, whom they answer to.
After that, the differences are as varied as parent groups themselves.
Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same."
"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the true perfection of one's character."
If your teachers are not members of your PTO, did not attend the vote or have voting power, then they have no say as to how the money is spent. If only a few choice teachers don't want to go on field trips---too bad. Let the rest of the classes go! Who are they to dictate how the rest of the school will be run? They are not the principal, they are not the PTO. However, by letting those few teachers tell you they are not going on field trips AND the money is not to go to the middle school; you and principal are empowering them to run everything.
Stand firm and clearly communicate that any classes that wish to take field trips they can & how much they are allowed. If not all classes are going, then up the money each class has to spend. Then let the parents in the classes that are not going anywhere stand up to those teachers. It will certainly make them stand out as poor sports, uncooperative and not working with the best interests of the children in mind.
An appearance at the BOE meeting after all trips have been taken would also send a clear message to the Board of the actions of those teachers. If those teachers want to stand out, don't do so by giving them power. Make then stand out as the uncooperative teachers, the negative teachers, the lazy teachers, teachers with attitudes, etc. They will slowly be isolated from their peers since the others will welcome and want the support of the PTO. But let the kids enjoy the money they raised from the fundraisers and cheer the teachers that are putting the kids first!
