I think the school is short on funds and they are using the money for general operating costs. The old PTO was run in a very loosey goosey manner, the have all since left and the exec board is new. The parenting group does not have the money to operate and we a forced to do a catalog sale early in the year to get funds for event and to Pay back "loans" from the PTA members who have fronted money for the events. Personally I am not comfortable with the arrangement. Especially since I believe the parent body will have a fit if they learn how the dues are being handled. In the past questions about money were either not answered or put off. I do not want to operate that way as I'd feel like I'd be lying. Any suggestions as to how to approach the admin? Also since the PTO is technically an arm of the school, is the money really theirs to do whateven they want with? We do have a constitution but it doesn't specifically address money.
Well, PTOs and PTAs aren't always held to different rules. If group were a 501c3, then rules would be the same.
I don't think this group could be a formal PTA, as it isn't 501c3 (and PTA, too, is primarily made up of public schools).
London -- your situation certainly sounds unusual, and I question why the fancy accounting maneuvers. Usually when I see those, I suspect something amiss. That said, private schools *are* different animals. If we were really going to get into this, then there are even more questions:
Does the parent group have the funds it needs to run operations? Does the principal actually use the funds collected to fund parent group activities? Does the parent group board understand the reasons for these transfers? Are they supportive? Stuff like that.
My first assumption in something like this is to presume good intentions. What do you think they are here?
Hi, it seems kinda weird. Our PTO is self managing, we have our own accounts and raise money to go towards different things, one year we bought a sign, last year we bought level reader books, etc Our fee is just $1 and that gives you the right to vote on a major election. We raise enough money for our small K-6 school that we would never charge that $50. What do they do for the kids and teachers???
