Is it possible that instead of the principal just asking for money "off the top" that he could submit a list of funding requests to the PTO and the PTO could vote to approve or at least consider them? The ultimate goal of the principal and the PTO is to benefit the children of the school and this would accomplish both, as I see it. People hate to see their hard-earned money just dumped into a nameless pot--they like to see TOUCHABLE things that their group has raised money for...I had this lengthy discussion with our principal and Finance committee last year (who just wanted us to hand over all our money).
Hope that gives you one perspective. Good luck.
Kelly
We just dealt with something similar to this. Our principal posed a 70%-30% split with us at the advice of our school district lawyers. WELL!! I checked with other PTAs in our area to see if anyone else was doing this. We just had our region's PTA leadership training this past Sat. and I brought it up to our state PTA folks and HOLY SMOKES did I learn a lot. First of all, for us it's illegal since we're a non-profit 501(c)(3). We ,technically, aren't there to fund things that should fall under the District Budget umbrella, but the extras. We are a separate entity from the school. Now, the "Booster" clubs and such (we see these in the high schools) can be required to give a certain % to the school. They are not in the same category as a PTA.
I hope that makes sense? Pretty much we DO NOT just hand over money to the school. It has to go for something specific and has to be a line item in our budget.
We have our own tax-id. I don't think I have the authority to give 50%. Shouldn't that be voted on by the officers? Also, he does a "Computers for Education" fundraiser and puts all of that in his general fund NOT the technology fund. No one seems to know about this agreement other that the past pres. He was very secretive when he told me. We are now trying to do a fundraiser for playgound updates. The kids and parents are excited, but they don't know that 1/2 of what they sell goes into general fund. He had told people that his evaluations are based on the amount in the general fund.
Actually, I wouldn't be so quick to say "no" to this. It's a fact of life that schools often have to conduct fundraising activities as well as other campus organizations, including PTOs.
So what are the options?
One is that they are run completely separately. If that's the case, and I'm the principal - wouldn't I naturally earmark the easiest, most profitable fundraiser for my own needs? And any school activity needs volunteers. Those volunteers that help with a school fundraiser are the same parents helping with a PTO fundraiser. The subtlety of where the funds are deposited (PTO or school) is pretty much lost on them. All they care about is that they are "helping the school."
Another option would be that the school and PTO partner on one or more fundraisers and split the proceeds. If this has worked well in the past, why the concern?
A third is that you figure out what school-wide fundraisers will be held and jointly choose one to be owned by the school. The PTO and school staff would each be supportive of all the fundraisers.
Frankly, a school's fundraiser is probably going to take priority over a PTO's fundraiser (in the eyes of the principal), and another of his/her goals will be to limit fundraising activities to a level acceptable to the parents. If you reach the point of "too many", whose do you think will get cut? The school's or the PTO's?
Partnering with the school could serve every one's needs. The key is that all are in agreement and expectations are fully communicating up front.
As a matter of fact, if your PTO does not have it's own tax id # (called an EIN, I think) or it's own non-profit status, the principal has every right to your money. In fact, it IS the school's money if you aren't a legally separate entity. Which you may not be. Tread lightly. Look at your by-laws. Check out your checking account tax id # and ask the bank if they can tell you if the school has a different tax id# than yours. If the school's tax id# and the PTO's tax id# are the same, the money is NOT for you to control. The school is legally (IRS) responsible for the money you raise. I'm serious.
Oh my goodness, I'm new to this site and your's is the first message I read - ABSOLUTELY NOT! The PTO is in control of their money that they raise for the school! I would be reporting his comments to the superintendent or just generally asking the super what his thoughts are on this. I can assure you you'll get the same reaction (as mine) - perhaps states are different and school districts have bylaws. But demand to see the bylaws of the school and go from there - DO NOT GIVE ANY OF YOUR MONEY DIRECTLY TO HIM. There must be a moderator reading this who will agree. (or I could be totally off base here, but it would be sad to thing so!)
