Obviously, there are many large non-profit organzations who pay their staff. But in this case, for a PTO, I would be very wary of such an idea. It will quickly get very gray as to who should be paid and who shouldn't.
If there aren't volunteers to run the organization, the PTO folds and its current money goes to the school--that's my simplisitic view of the situation. I think a threat that the PTO goes away if there are no volunteers might be as powerful as offering to pay the officers. $50,000 is a lot to lose if your PTO folds.
If you are interested in being President again, I would suggest amending your bylaws so that all positions could be filled by volunteers. I know that paying someone to be a member of our group would go against our purpose and if you open this can of worms, how many people will say they son't have time unless they are paid? Just because you pay someone doesn't mean they will do a good job.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
