As I said, We had one problem. We had ateacher buy a rolling chair. But, the teachers buy: Paper, colors, and may buy some items for their treasure box. But, for us to give money we also must go to our school board. But, we do ask for reciepts. Our teachers do get EEF funds. They did get 550.00 last year. Now they get 150.00. So we do try and help. The kids do earn over 9,000 of the money a year.Do your teachers do a fundraiser?

Actually, we do not give the teachers funds (ie cash or gift certificates). Our group comprises our 2 schools k-8 (600 students and roughly 30-35 staff or teachers). We are not a low income district nor are we a high income district... although some might say we are and pretty much the teachers get what they want themselves. As for our funds, we do mini grants (there is another thread pertaining to this system of distribution). Everyone is pretty happy this way. Most teachers or 95% of all grant requests are approved. We had one for a poetry book, which had a students published poem in it and a set of videos. So even the smallest things are considered. However, we don't usually get requests for that small of an item.

When we have our fall book fair, we let each teacher select $50 of books for their classroom libraries. We have been doing that going back roughly 6+ years now. The classroom libraries should be pretty good right about now. LOL!

Could I ask of all of you, what do the teachers purchase with their money? Basic supplies? extra supplies? What is usual and customary?

Since the beginning of our former school and the PTA, the teachers were given $10 per student for start-up funds. They purchased the needed items and kept receipts which were all turned in at once for reimbursement. Not a lot of accountability was put into place at first beyond submitting the receipts.
But when it was noticed that a lot of the receipts were for candy and even a yoga tape, a policy was made.
Candy was to be kept at a minimum and nothing that was not to the benefit of the children(something like that anyway)
At my new school, I don't know how they do it yet, or even if they do it at all.

We try and give our teachers 200.00 a year. We try to do it when they start.And around christmas. Then if they need something else. they see us and ask. We then take a vote.

Like Leslie we give the teachers Walmart gift cards before school starts ($25 ea). They can spend this however they want and we don't ask for receipts.

We also give each teacher $100 per year. For this they must fill out a check request, attach receipts, and itemize what they bought (briefly).

In addition, if teachers want something else (support materials, cd players etc) they run ti by the principal and if she agrees, they come to the meeting and ask. We generally will pay for these items if the money is available.

I know that in our PTO group we have handled giving money 2 different ways. One way was cash. They had to bring reciepts to us. THe 2. way was a gift cert. one from walmart. still they had to show how money was spent. only one bought herself a chair. The rest put it on the classroom. Then we have done a teacher wish list,and we went out and did the shopping for them.
So there a few ideas....