I wish it was a short story, I'll try to be breif. Teacher was selected along with about ten others to do independent project. Several cities have simaler projects under different names. Letters went out to school parents for donations.Apparently response was underwhelming. PTO had special meeting and voted to give teacher money. Things then get cloudy with noone trying to clear the air.I believe the most accurate rumor to be not enough board members were present for a legal vote and someone caught this and pointed it out. The money was returned. The subject retuned at the first meeting in the fall. During the budget meeting Teacher again asked for money. Several people asked 'how does this benefit the students?' The response was how wonderful our teachers are and what an honor it is for the teacher and school. True on both counts but it did not answer the question.The money was again given to teacher. I have asked to see a mission statement an bylaws, have not seen them yet, people do have lives outside PTO. The last meeting called into question the way meetings were run and how the monthly agenda was advertised. My hope is more people will now take interest and start attending meetings. I know, I know, fat chance.

Admit that you made the mistake and ask people to put it behind them. Ask the teacher for his/her support in getting the word out. Even better, have a re-vote after you read your Mission Statement to the whole group. Maybe you need to run a separate fundraiser for this teacher, using her class to earn the money.

Out of curiosity, how did this come about? I wouldn't think that the expenditure would have been covered by any PTO Mission Statement. I'm kinda curious as to what your Mission Statement is.

Our PTO recently voted to help fund a teacher in a non-school related project.The money, as it relates to PTO budget, was one of the larger funds.The subject has stirred up a lot of controversary. The question is, how do we put this problem to rest and move on without eroding support for the PTO?