7 years ago, our K-5 school was split into a K-1 building and a 2-5 school. At that time, a new PTO was established at the new K1 school. We now have two vibrant PTO's with separate fundraisers, separate programming, separate directories, etc. It has worked out fine. Sometimes you might not want to go to two PTO meetings in a month, but there's usually enough volunteers and attendees at ALL the functions.

We have about 30% overlap of families between the 2 schools. See if you can figure out your overlap - it might not be as high as you think it will be.

Although our PTO's operate independent of the school, we work very closely and take lots of direction from the principals. If we had one combined organization, I think our officers would have to spend alot of time balancing "who gets what" and ensuring we keep both principals happy. I have never found it easy to serve two masters.

Currently, all of our kids are in one building which houses grades K through 4. When the district builds its new high school, the existing high school, which is attached to the current elementary school by a large gym, will be renovated into an intermediate school. So the current elementary school will become a K-2 elementary school and the old high school will become an intermediate school for grades 3-5. So we will need to restructure our PTO to include both schools somehow or turn it into two PTOs. I like the idea of two VP's so far. Any other thoughts?

Nancy, our district is facing declining enrollment, so we don't have this situation. I'm slightly confused. Are half the kids going to a new school in a new building? Or are you reorganizing the facility to act as two schools within one building?

I can say that when they closed the next school over, some of the kids came to ours and some went to another school. The residual funds of that PTA were split between the two schools, pro-rated by the number of students each school received. If you do split into two groups, that would strike me as the most fair way to distribute the money.

I just realized I didn't answer most of the original question.

When the new organization was formed, the name was changed (we call ourselves an Elementary Schools Association) and new bylaws were written up. This was before my kids were in the schools, so although I'm now VP I don't really know how difficult the process was.

We don't really have an equity problem as to seeing that both schools are being treated fairly. Things like teacher grants are the same for each teacher regardless of school, and we give an equal amount of money to each school for cultural enrichment programs. Anything special, like paying for a 5th grade celebration, is accepted because most members realize their child will eventually be in 5th grade too and will recieve the same thing.

About four years ago our town redistricted similar to your situation. We now have one K-2 school and one 3-5 school. Previous to the switch each school had a seperate PAC. After redistricting the PACs combined to one organization. The thought was that many families would have children in each school and they would be over extended if the groups met seperately.

We have one president of the organization, and each school has a VP. There is also a secretary, treasurer, and corresponding secretary. Fundraisers are at both schools, due to the size of the schools we usually have a chair for each school. For instance, for the gift wrap sale, each school had a different chair but all funds raised go into the same account.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about or situation.

Hi Nancy, we actually have two Teacher Reps from each end of the school- we are a small K-12 school. This has been great and the teachers are terrific in reminding us what works for their grades etc.
My question to you is if you have two VPs are they in the running for Prez if something should happen or would they just serve as reps for the two grade levels?--yeah something to think about. Also is this something that needs to be amendmended into the by-laws?

All in all it's a great idea and helps to keep everyone in mind when planning!