JHB - I agree - each PTO has it's own stated purpose. I think that for the most part we all have some common ground, but I doubt there are any two sets of identical by-laws. Go back to your mission statement and that should define your purpose as a group. If that purpose happens to state funding of teacher bonuses, then go for it. Personally I would have a hard time with that myself and my kids have attended both private and public schools. That's my opinion and that's why this is America, a great country where everyone is allowed to have their own opinion and live to tell about it. Thanks for keeping us all on track! You are quite the diplomat.
I don't disagree with anything stated here, but it seems we now have two or three topics interwoven in this thread. The original question was about the parent organization of a PRIVATE school raising funds for teacher bonuses.
I think it's important that we remember there are no absolutes here. While a PTA is established in a paricular designated fashion, "PTO" doesn't mean any one thing. It's one acronym for an independent parent group. A parent group could potentially be set up for ANY purpose and it may or may not be a stand-alone legal entity.
Most of us who participate in this forum seem to be associated with publicly funded schools and follow the idea that the PTO exists to benefit the children/the school - to provide "extras". While that's a very common scenario, nothing is black and white - especially when you get outside the publicly funded arena.
Many private schools are set up as a business and the parents' involvement is parallel to that of a public school. Others, especially small co-operative or church related, may be much more hands on. When it comes to big ticket items, the primary question might be "do we (parents) raise the money through a fundraiser or does everyone pay more tuition?" It can be a different situation.
The main thing is that the parent organization is operating within its chartered intent, and that the members are in agreement as to what that purpose is. I just don't want us to fall into the trap of setting narrow definitions to be applied across the board.
I agree with IMOVEPEOPLE - Definetly no don't pay it's the disticts job to pay their bonus. We offer teachers wish list if they need some items in the middle of the year we do the Giving Tree which was a idea from this forum. And they can check items off their that they want and we send slips home with children to do this in lieu of a gift for the teacher it's not mandatory just on a voluntary basis. I think that this is not justifiable under the 501 c 3 status anyway. Plus our teachers are allowed a allowance to spend as well by the district.
NO NO NO - BONUS is to be Provided by PTO. We are not their employee. Just a Parents looking out for the welfare and education of our children.
Receipts, in my opinion, are a must as you need to have documentation, documentation, documentation. At the beginning of the school year, the school offers each teacher an "allowance" of $5.00 per child. The teachers may spend this throughout the year on anything that will benefit the entire class - it can be stickers, supplies, an ice cream treat, a field trip - anything so long as ALL children in the class benefit. When receipts are provided the teacher is reimbursed. The school supply list that our parents must purchase before school starts is so lengthy (including paper towels, ziploc bags, kleenex, and the standard stuff) that classroom supplies are not dwindled throughout the year. If a particular child's crayons are broken or is out of pencils - the parent is responsible for replenishing the items. Is this the best way to handle it - I don't think so - I would take a different approach personally, but "that's the way it's always been done" in the district (FYI - I hate that statement!) so that's the way it will stay. I know I've gotten off task here, and I apologize for that - short answer - yes you need receipts!
I think IMovePeople has the right idea. I'd still vote "no", but private schools are sometimes very different. A good friend of mine had her daughter in a church related school. At that one, major fundraising was conducted by the parents. Not just "extras", but to replace the roof, to supplement salaries, etc. And, oh-by-the-way, they also had committees who did the more traditional things we think of (Fall carnival, field trips, etc.)
This was their school's parent group (I don't know if they used the acronym PTO.) But their mission was far broader - by the agreement and intent of the members. They made a conscious choice to keep tuition at a particular level and rely on fundraising and donations for substantial areas. And as parents (and often members of the church), everyone knew going in that this was part of having your child in school there.
Again, I think the answer is "no", but you really have to know what the intended mission of the parent group was.
I also agree that the PTO should not give teachers their bonuses, but like some of you, we do give the teachers funds for the classroom in the form of gift certificates three times a year (Back-To-School, January (when supplies need replenished), and April with proceeds from our carnival. The gift cert. are to a teacher supply or office supply store or to Wal-Mart or K-mart. Now here is where I would love to get responses (let's go Metzymom & IMOVEPEOPLE!!). We do not ask for any type of receipt, we just trust that the teachers will use the cert. for classroom supplies. What is your feeling on this? I should add that as the new pres., I've been told (warned?) by the outgoing pres. & treas. not to change too many things...
Thanks. (PS: The total for all 3 cert. is about $100.00)
