MenzyMom is on the same track as our group. We are apart of the school's umbrella and even have our PTO account held by the school AND it is understood that THAT is our funds and the PRincipal raises their ouw were needed (we do help student groups when their fundraiser "tanks" or wasn't approved. I'm thinking though if you are rural, your're in our circle. Neither bad or good, just tricky.

How new is your principal and what is her history? Also I'm curious, do you still have the same Superintendant? Also, I was born and raised in a small town and remember when a new Principal came to our school, always fun . Is there a way you can talk...really talk...to a member of the school board. In our small town there was A LOT of school politics discussed at the cafe I worked at as a teen. I know that's hard but you need to talk about this. Where is last years' Prez? I thinking she can lend some light on how things are "suppose" to be and who to talk to about this.

It's almost April, and unless you signed on for two years , you'll survive. Also, whomever is Prez next year needs your support and the two of you should work over the summer to figure this out.

Rural town politics are so hard but you can do this!! Just remember who you are doing this all for...I have five reasons (2 girls and 3 boys!)

NonSequitur, I'm going to use that quote quite a bit from now on!

LScraggz--It sounds like you need to find out if your PTO is an entity unto itself, or a "school" property. Also look at your bylaws, if you have any, and see if thats of any help. I'll never understand people who don't understand you get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Why antagonize the people you're asking to help you? If the group isn't anything at all, and doesn't even have an EIN and hasn't been filing, I don't see why you couldn't (tactfully and CAREFULLY) start a bona fide PTO and file for tax-exempt status from the IRS.

Good Luck!

It is illegal to open other people's mail. But like they said before: is it technically her mail? Is it school business? Or are you a separate entity from the school?

If so, I think I would open a PO Box and redirect the mail before turning her in to the Post Master General. Just to keep from causing problems in the community and for you personally.

In this world there are people you work with and people you work AROUND.

I hope it gets better.

Is your group listed as a separate entity with the IRS? I would think the easiest way to find out would be to ask if your tax ID number is the same as the school's. If it is, you are not a group separate from the school. Ask the group secretary or treasurer. one of them should know. The IRS would also know, but ask your group leaders first to stall any mistrust that might arise. Until you find out, there isn't much to say.

If it turns out that you are operating under the school umbrella (as opposed to having your own non-profit status with the IRS), then you may have some problems because the principal would be entitled to use that money the way she sees fit. Most groups that operate under the school umbrella do so with the principals blessing and the principal usually lets the group run as though they were a separate entity. Our group operates this way. We raise funds as a group and spend those funds as a group (the school runs its own fundraisers and the principal spends that money). However, if our principal chose to, she would absolutely have the power to spend our money as well because the money was raised via the school's tax code. The school's tax number equals the school's monies. Your tax number equals your group's money.

Unless your principal has spent time on this site, it is unlikely that he/she knows this. He/She may be just trying to assert their power because that is how some folks are, or maybe they just don't know how a school and parent group work together. At this point, until you find out about your tax status, I would urge your PTO Officers to meet with the principal and explain all the ways that your group can help at your school without being 'just a checkbook'.

Good Luck!

I'm not sure.I don't know what a 501 is.How do I get in touch with them to find out? From what I have always understood we are only affiliated with the school but not really part of it. :confused:

Is your group incorporated separate from the school with its own 501 status? If not, get ready for some bad news. If you are, you need advice from JHB, Critter or Rockne, who are well versed in the codes.

[ 03-19-2004, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: TheMetzyMom ]