Hi all. I'm new to this MB and new to the PTO. The principal of my son's elementary school personally asked me to run for PTO President and "take over" everything. The current president has been in his role for 3 years and the up coming school year is the last for his son. He wanted to step aside and move someone else in to the position.

We have discussed our goals and what we thought the PTO should do for the school. I have found them to be almost opposite. He feels that the PTO should not be a "cash cow" for the school and I feel the opposite. He feels the PTO should support the parents with things like a jazz night out for just the parents. I disagree.

I feel that the PTO is an organization for parents to be involved with their children's school. To know what is going on. To have a voice. I also feel that the money raised should go to the teachers who need things for their classes. Special projects, field trips and the like. It is my opinion that a teacher should never have to go into their own wallet to pay for needed supplies. He feels they should. Am I totally off base here?

What is the goal of your PTO? What do you do with the money raised?