We have a problem with involvement as well. Last night I was "elected" pres for next year and I said flat out if no one is participating but the principal and me (the other brd members are changing schools unrelated to PTO issues)there is no reason to have a PTO. I would give my time to the teachers of my kids, rather than PTO. I am doing a big push for volunteers and board members at the end of this year and the beginning of next--and let ppl know we will be disbanding if no one wants to help out--, but if participation doesn't step up, I will divide the remaining money up amongst the teachers in the form of gift cards to our local education supply store. I love PTO and would love for it to continue, but what's the point if NO ONE cares?
I agree with some of the others. Tell the parents the PTO will no longer exist if there isn't some volunteers. Send home fliers with the information about officers, committee chairs & members. Let everyone know that it is free & only takes a few hours a week or less.
Talk to your school district's business manager and see if the funds could go to the district with stipulations attached as to how they can be spent. That would give you the ability at least to designate specific areas where the funds could be spent.
Last year we had a school wide program that was in financial despair. We rallied parents throughout the district and had them send their donations to the school district administration with a stipulation on the checks that the monies were for the exclusive use of the XXX fund. The district had no problem with that.
Hope you don't have to resort to disbanding, it would be such a sad thing for the school.
Yes, Renee, this is killing me. I don't want to go on a spending spree because I would like the money to be used wisely. I also don't think we can keep an account open with the bank without anyone in charge of it. I would really like for our staff to step up, because they aren't as involved as they could be, and either take over until some parents come along that want to see the school succeed, or keep it going just to make sure they get field trips and classroom funds, things the district does not provide. If our money goes into the general fund, not only can we not promise these things, even though most of the money for another year is there, the funds could also be turned over to a new principal next year. The most difficult thing, is that we have parents, including myself, who can do some things next year but can't do it all. I told them I would be more than happy to coordinate our fall fundraiser and I've got someone who likes handling our box tops store, but we don't really want to do this to give the funds to the general fund with no guarentee where the funds will go and if they will be distributed fairly-because it's not handled fairly now. I appreciate your sympathy and thoughts. I think this is one of those times, where I'm going to have to put all the cards on the table and see where they fall.
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
Melissa Constantine
Visitor
18 years 8 months ago#103409by Melissa Constantine
Does the money HAVE to go into the general fund, or can it just sit in the bank until another parent group steps up? I am concerned about the lack of parental involvemnet at our school as well, and have discussed the issue of no PTO next year with our principal. Like you, I was wondering if we would need to go on a spending spree, but she said we would just leave the money in the account until another group of parents takes charge.
There is no easy answer, and I don't envy the position you are in. Keep us informed of what happens.
I've been there..done that. I've been involved in pto for 8 yrs. My school system has been thru. 2 major changes over the last 2 yrs. (we have a super who doesn't care what the parents have to say...its his way only & a school board who's just along for the ride) We also have a principal who wouldn't spend the $$$ wisely if it was given to her. Parents are into many activities & will only support one or even none because they can't be bothered. I see it in ptos, soccer,hockey.....(I'm involved in all) Nobody wants to help more than they have to. Right now our parents are soured over the whole restructuring & closing of a school(my school-pto for 7 yrs) that they don't want to be involved anymore. We got burned badly. We installed $10,000. worth of playground equipment & 2 weeks later were told our school was closing. Some of those parents won't even fundraise now. I don't blame them.
P.S my spending spree was because my school was closing & I'd be damned if I gave our funds to another school who didn't help raise this money.
ScottMom#1 has a tough decision to make with her group. If no one is stepping-up now, why would they step-up in Sept. I wish ScottMOm all the luck in the world. I understand what you are going through. If you're anything like me, this is 'killing' you.
