Another question...I am a new PTO pres and when we went to the bank to sign the approved signature card the person helping us told us that the bank will charge us a fee for each check we deposit over 200...is that normal? Do other banks charge for depositing too many checks in a month?

Each year, our PTO focuses on one primary goal -- last year it was major technology improvements, but we also have a hefty "slush" fund to handle any requests that come up through-out the year from faculty or the administration. In the past, this slush fund has helped replace broken equipment, provided new textbooks and other classroom supplies, and provided classroom items needed by children with families qualifying for the free lunch program. Having the slush fund in addition to items that are budgeted at the beginning of the year gives our PTO flexibility.

Hi -- I am a new president that has been very successful in fundraising over the last few years. I am excited at the opportunity in front of me and am looking to see what other succcessful PTOs do concerning how money is budgeted. We have in the past paid for bussing for field trips, but the amount is outrageous and I feel that the $$ could be better spent on technology or playground equipment. We have a very detailed line item by line item budet and am curious what other PTOs spend their money on and how they go about budgeting it -- very specific or fairly general?