Though it is true that the teachers take care of our kids while they are there, it's not realistic for them to expect that it is easy to add a project like making over the lounge just by requesting it. I'm taken aback by the lack of teacher support that the first posting alluded to. Our PTO provides funds per student as well as staff appreciation food and gifts. I can see that volunteer project would be in order, but it would need major support from the staff. They are the ones who will be using it.

Last year our PTO gave our Teacher's workroom a face lift! We turned it into a Italian outdoor cafe'. We painted "stones" on the walls, added enexpensive round patio tables with umbrellas. Had two couches donated from parents (bought slip cover for one). Had a refrigerator donated (sprayed painted it yes it looked great 12.00 HOme Depot) Bought dishes from Dollar store. Real salt and pepper shakers. You would never guess you were in a teacher's lounge. We just sent home a note to parents telling of our plans and needs and the items came rolling in. We ended up spending around 350.00. These people put up with our lovely little angels all day, get low pay, not much help, a 30 min lunch. They deserve to have a place to go to get a way from it all!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Two years ago, we faced a similar situation with our teachers lounge. Gray, dark, un-inviting lounge with no personality. We spoke to the teachers, principal and received approval to transform! Wow, did we do a transformation! We are blessed to have an interior decorator and many wonderful parents! Everything!!!was donated by the parents. We designed, organized and prepared everything for a weekend makeover. We were so proud and wow did it make a difference! I have never been disappointed in taking part in this effort. Every staff member is still thanking us for making a gray ungly room into the soft garden room! Now when we have "Soups on Us" and "Chili Cook-off" the teachers look forward to coming into their room and enjoying lunch. Plus with the couch and coffee table off to one side it makes for a quiet area to rest for just a few moments before returning to the real world! I highly recommend "Treating your STAFF" to a makeover! You'll be glad you did! Have A Great Time!

I'm sorry C.Brooks, I did not answer your question.....The lounge is not part of the workroom.
I really enjoy this site. Sometimes you get so wrapped up in matters, they begin to overwhelm you. I find posting this kind of stuff and hereing the replies very helpful in putting it all back into perspective.
I like the idea of supporting the makeover, and not neccesarily funding it all. I too, feel like their lounge should be a comfy, peaceful place to refresh them before going back to class. When the topic is brought up at our next meeting, I will offer your ideas.
Thank you again, for all your support. I'll be sure to post the outcome [img]smile.gif[/img]

I don't think it's an unreasonable request, but you've got a good point--where do you draw the line?

I think it's reasonable for your group to look at it because you do provide some "teacher appreciation" money on a regular basis, and this clearly falls into the same category. And I think many justify teacher appreciation with what someone else already said: happy teachers=happy kids.

My first reaction was to set aside the funds already used for teacher appreciation. I know you said they like those events and don't want to lose them, but unless you have some windfall in your budget or some other compelling reason to increase the teacher appreciation line item, I think they need to be prepared to give in a little here. (Just the fact that they want a nicer lounge isn't compelling enough, in my opinion.) And maybe you can think of a way to have the same teacher appreciation events, but trim the costs somehow. For example, if one event is a fancy catered lunch during teacher appreciation week, maybe you could still do the lunch, but have parent volunteers provide the food instead.

Another option might be to get a committee together of people who are willing to work to get donations specifically for a new lounge. Maybe you have a parent who is an interior decorator, or who makes window treatments, or who works at a furniture or home improvement store, or something like that. Or even if you don't have anyone who fits into one of those more obvious committees, you could get people together who are willing to go out and ask businesses for donations to cover the costs. That way the PTO could be supporting it without actually being out any money.

Thank you all for the input. As of now, the PTO provides stipends to our teachers totally in the amount of $6500.00/yr. We also have a Staff Appreciation Committee that organizes events every qtr for our teachers to acknowledge their hard work, that is an add'l $1000.00/yr. We are at $7500.00/yr. Our PTO also makes all copies for our teachers, prepares and stuffs the students take home folders, coordinates two homeroom parents to help with projects and parties - We love our teachers, but when do you draw the line.
At PTO meetings there are no teachers that come. When we have fundraisers, only the teachers with children help sell. We have funds set aside for a school garden, but can't get any teachers to lead the committee or even sit on the committee.
The suggestion to use the funds put aside for staff appreciation was made, but they said they enjoyed their events too much.
I guess the best thing to do, is put it on the agenda, make sure parents know about, and take a vote. I just hope there are no hard feelings to seperate parents and staff from the outcome of this. I can see some parents getting upset because this does not fall under the "enrichment" of education for our children.