We have a grant process in place. As Treasurer, I don't write any checks without approval of the board for any given grant. We approve most grants but they do have to meet specific criteria such as benefit to the school as apposed to benefit to a single class. A good sample would be the special education teacher who is new to the school and asked us to fund the setup of her classroom. We denied that request but approved the purchase of 5 Leapster learning systems for the Kindergarten classes.

As long as it is a documented process, it is easier to tell the school no.

Some of these things would definitely raise a red flag with me. Personally, I would ask to look at the school budget and expenditures to date, for at least the past year or two. I would ask in a non-confrontational way--maybe say that we'd like to review it so we can see what areas are underfunded and focus more on addressing those needs, something like that.

Clearly other principals can pay for these things. Why can't she? I would want to know. I don't know what your laws are where you live, but we ended up making that request last year and the principal had to comply. I wouldn't dream of doing that with the current principal, but last year was a different story.

May I suggest that if you are not a separate entity from the school that you take the necessary steps to become one? And if you do not have bylaws already, quickly form a committee to write some.

Continue to use your PTO experience to convince your board mambers and general members that sound fiscal policy and procedures are necessary and standard for PTOs. Your principal may not like it, but perhaps she will see that when she isn't hijacking your money, you will be able to do more for the school, teachers, and kids. Good luck!

Start with a meeting where everyone reviews your bylaws. Then, if you haven't already, get a budget in place. Next, set guidelines for requesting funds, that are budgeted, and stick to it.
When people try telling me that we are doing fundraising for the school, I tell them we are doing fundraising to support the school, staff, and students. The principal has her own budget. She either needs to learn how to work within it, or let your group know ahead of time what she is needing so that you may figure out if and when you can help with what she needs. I think once this gets settled you will be able to have a much better working relationship with her, I did with mine.

Hi!! Our school system has gone thru some major changes in the last 2 yrs. This school yr. my elem. school was closed so I decded to join another. I guess last yrs. parents were new to the PTO & instead of the principal giving help to the president, just ran the meetings. This yr. I was voted in pres. ( Iwas on my prev. pto for 7 yrs.) The principal keeps telling teachers that we will reimburse them for their purchases or she wants $$$ for other things she wants to order. Keep in mind nothing was ever brought up at meetings or voted on. I guess last yr. she put in a flower box w/o pto approval for funds, then told them she was to be reimbursed for $200.00 for the supplies,wood,dirt,flowers. I'm trying to get the pto out of the habit of giving out $$$$ to her since it's not her $$$$ to spend. She also wants to be reimbursed for things the board office has required her to do like holding an open house. She wants us to pay her back $75.00 for the postcards & postage. (This is not a pto event.)I want checks to be written only at the pto meetings to "stop the insanity". How can I get the principal to stop telling everyone that we will write them a check including herself.