" I think it is sad that due to budget issues PTO's are becoming more and more responsible for things that used to be covered by the cities and towns". You hit the nail on the head with this comment, RDSX28.

Truth is, there are FEW parents who recognize this. I mean, yes, the people involved in PTO's and fundraising know, but everyone else has no clue. We spend a great deal of time explaining to parents why we fundraise $35,000 a year for our k-5 school.

Many don't realize that when my 1st child started at that school 9 years ago, the city annually allocated $76K toward notebooks, crayons, academic books, supplies, copiers, updating machines, speakers, programs, library essentials, globes, maps,gym, art and computer equipment, and so on.......... That same principal now gets $21K for the same # of kids... 9 years later.. when everything costs that much more..... we " do without" in so many cases, and the teachers spend so much of their own money....

It is so FRUSTRATING when parents complain about fundraising.... and yet they are the same ones who complain about the lack of resources.....

phew.. I feel better now!

The PTO at our PreK-8 school funds a number of things, some similar and some different from what I've read in this thread. We spend about $6,000-$8,000 on programs and author visits (assemblies mostly, at least one for each grade level or group of grades such as K-2, 3-5, 6-8). We provide 2 or 3 $1,000 scholarships for graduating 12th graders who graduated from our 8th grade. We also sponsor a Welcome Coffee for parents of incoming kindergarteners, and a Teacher Appreciation Week luncheon. Our biggest expenditure is our Wish List, which is available to all teachers (including specialists). Each April they are asked to fill out a request form and propose what it is they would like us to provide. It must cost less than $1,000 (we have an education foundation that pays for big-ticket items), and be a supplement to the curriculum or classroom environment. We do buy Time for Kids or Scholastic News for a couple of grades, because it's a supplement to the textbooks and materials the board of ed provides. We've purchased educational videos for the library, clay for the art teacher, and rhythm instruments for the music teacher. We've purchased beanbag chairs for speech therapists and an LCD projector for the technology coordinator. Our Wish List ranges between $9,000-$12,000 each year, and we try to keep our approvals balanced at each grade level, allowing a bigger contribution for the library, music, and phys ed programs because ALL students have access to them. Most years our budget is in the neighborhood of $25,000. We raise funds with two big events, a Holiday Fair (in-school shopping event) in Nov., and a Country Fair in May. Other funds are raised through apparel sales, plant sales, Mad Science, School Toolboxes, and Box Tops, and a few others.

HTH,
Liz

Inflatable obstacle course?? Cool!! I want to come to that. I think it sounds like your school is about the same size as ours, somewhat on the smaller side and (just as a guesstamate) from what you mentioned that you pay for in your first post and what you mention here it sounds like a good mix of needs and wants for your school. It can be frustrating to have to put the money forward that it seems like the school itself should be paying but in the long run, it's all about helping the kids, which in turn, comes down to a well-rounded plan to help the school, teachers, admin, run it. You said the other programs you pay for now are more than you used to have so put your sights on a couple more "fun" options and keep plugging along. It sounds to me like your a growing group well on its way.

Where can I get me one of those obstacle courses by the way?

We budget $125 per classroom for field trips. We have 27 classes. Each grade gets $125 gift money to use for grade specific activities. We budget $500 for an inflatable obstacle course for field days. One assembly per quarter. Popcorn reward parties and little treats every now and then. Not as much as we would like to do, but more than we used to.

I think it is sad that due to budget issues PTO's are becoming more and more responsible for things that used to be covered by the cities and town's. At my school we rent copy machine's and pay the service contracts on them. We give $10.00/child towards field trips,we have recently bought much needed banquet tables for our school functions. We gave the 6th grade class $1000.00 towards their graduation. Our holiday luncheon for the teacher's is held each year and all the families are asked to donate food,beverages,paper goods etc as well as small raffle gifts. This usually works out quite well. Last year we spent over 300.00 on a teacher appreciation lunch. this year we have decided to cut back on that and our school principal was less than happy about it. A small gesture we felt was enough seeing that most student's also bring their teacher's in gifts as well. We do have a family day which gets a budget of $2500.00 which seems like alot but really isn't for 480 students. Many of us feel that the children get lttle back from all their fundraising efforts and are looking to change next year and offer more back to the students. Just wondering what are some of the things you do for student's during the year? Thanks so much

jurijeka-
I'm on my 3rd principal at the same school and there could not be 3 people who are more different. Our current principal thinks very similar to you. We don't pay for any of the things you listed but neither does our school. I could see your reading items being funded by reading or Title moneys, if your school gets them. Our last principal drained all money from every direction and none of us felt we had anything to show. Our first principal, didn't spend a lot but we had higher enrollment and more parent support that didn't make for so much work and more got done. It sounds like your principal is a lot like our last one and the only thing that worked for me was trying to get our group to set a budget that was extremely specific, I did a pie graph to show current spendings and included overall percentages. So it's easy to say (and show) that 1/5th of your budget is being spent on a program that only benefits 1/20th of your population and that won't sit well with most. Don't expect to be a favorite for rocking the principal's boat. I did a lot of research and called all of our area Presidents to share and compare their budgets with ours and this helped me a lot. I could always say we are the only school that supports this program with PTO funds, other schools adress this issue by... I also think you need to look at bylaws and mission statement for your group-if you don't have them, get them. This will help guide you. It may be that what your group is doing is what your group was created to do for your school. Do your research and talk to all the staff and parents to see how they feel your group is doing, it may be that you have people on your side that don't know how to get started making a change. Our group has been through a lot, some for the better and some for the worse, but your principal is someone you may have to work with your whole PTO career, so unless they are doing something WRONG, you may just have to live with the fact they have the power to let your group operate and you just may have to resolve their needs before you can attempt your wishes. Good luck!!!