Thanks for the replies. We decided to split the money between several different projects and most everyone seems happy with that. While there is probably some disappointment, this is what seems fair.

We have what we call the Teacher's Discretionary Fund. We deposit enough money in this school account to allow each teacher $200 for the school year. Any items above that are presented and discussed at a PTO meeting. I think if you look at the money spent in terms of which grade levels are benefiting most you would find that there is never equity. We have never had anyone(not that I've heard about anyway) complain that one grade is getting more than another. We consider any purchase we make for the school and the kids not a certain teacher or a certain group of kids. If it is a worthwhile project that will benefit children in our school then that's what matters. The discretionary fund seems to eliminate problems with one teacher getting the bulk of money because they happen to show up at meetings or are not shy about asking. Most of the time teachers come as a group to ask for money for a special item. Our teachers are very good about discussing with each other what needs to be purchased and how many students it will benefit. Maybe we're just lucky!!

We use our funds for a combination of projects taking into account all the issues at the time.

Some benefit the school as a whole (new lighting for the stage). Others are approved at the grade level. We try to distribute it fairly so each grade benefits - especially when we are buying things like classroom supplies, math kits, books, etc. But then, sometimes projects come up that benefit only a few. Last year we spent about $3000 on a shade structure for the younger children's playground. It was badly needed and something we had discussed for a few years, but it did mean that significantly more was spent on K & 1st.

It would be unlikely we would ever put ALL our funds in a single project.

For us, there's no cookie cutter answer. We consider our goals, budgets, all the factors and make a decision on a case by case basis.

Do your groups give every grade level and/or classroom an equal share of PTO money each year? If a major purchase such as playground equip. is not being made, and the principal and a couple of the grades (1/3 of the teachers) want nearly all of the PTO's funds to go to one project, however worthy, what do you do? The items will eventually benefit all of the students as they reach the higher grades. Do you simply give ALL available PTO funds to this one project that will benefit a few grade levels this year? (The money will not completely fund the project and most likely a lot more PTO money will go toward it in coming years, along with school budget money.) Do the other grades get pretty much nothing for the year even though they also need supplies? Or do you give less money this year to the project (still a substantial amount but about 1/2 of what is wanted) so that the other grades will get an equal share of the funds, regardless of any pressure from the principal, who usually gets what he wants from the PTO? Thanks for your input!