If the PTO gave the teacher the GC with the intent or expectation the teacher would buy supplies then, no, the reimbursement is not appropriate.
However, if the PTO normally reimburses teachers for supplies they purchase, and the GC was given for some other purpose (new baby, say), then the PTO should honor the reimbursement request.
Do you guys typically reimburse teachers for purchases? Had this teacher paid in cash, would her purchase have qualified for reimbursement in your system?
Did your group give her the gift certificate?
If the the answers to the first two questions are yes, then -- for the most part -- I think how she paid is irrelevant.
Let's give an example: For her birthday, her mother gave her $50 cash. She uses that $50 to buy (reimbursable) school supplies. That's kosher, right?
Well, now let's say that instead of giving her $50 in cash, her mom gave her a $50 gift card to Target. And then she uses the gift card to buy the same school supplies. I don't see the difference.
Now, if the answer to the third question is yes, then I can see questions of double-dipping. But that's a different story.
Does it matter where the money came from? She purchased an item and should be reimbursed for it. Just my $.02.
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
Does anyone have an opinion on the following scenario? We have a teacher who is asking for reimbursement for a purchase made with a gift certificate that was an actual gift (not a scrip actually purchased by her.) We do not currently have a policy in place, or know if there is an IRS guideline or commonly accepted accounting practice, but it seems like reimbursing her for this $25 purchase is like giving her a "double payment". Meaning, she was gifted with the initial $25 GC, and she purchased items with it. If we honor her requested reimbursement, she receives yet another $25 to spend. Does it seem like a double payment to anyone else? We have differing opinions here and would like to know what other schools do in this situation. What experience do you have with reimbursing GC's? Feedback please!
