Dissolving your PTA is in your PTA bylaws. Follow them. I'm not going to get into much of this because I as a PTA person do not agree with the advise that is generally given by PTO supporters. One thing I can tell you is using your PTA funds to start up your PTO is not acceptable. Your PTO will have to file for a seperate 501c3 status and will no longer be under the PTA umbrella. You will have to spend your PTA funds down or donate them to a charity.
PTA bylaws generally require that you notify your state office of your intention to disband within a specific time prior to the general membership meeting and a vote at the meeting to switch with a 2/3rd majority etc.
Personally I think that dissolving your PTA before you begin your PTO activities is the right thing to do however it's not legally required.
If you really want to know the answers from both sides- visit thread "Converting from PTA to PTO ASAP" under PTA vs PTO.
Our school is going to change from PTA to PTO. A couple of questions for those that may have been through this process....
-Have you run the two (PTA and PTO) simultaniously? We are thinking of doing this so that we can spend down the PTA money and at the same time fundraise for PTO.
-Can you vote to dissolve the PTA on a future date?
-How have you handled the start up costs involved (tax filings, insurance etc.) with no money? Has anyone ever used their PTA funds to pay these start up costs for the newly formed PTO?
-Do you feel it best to have a general meeting to put this information out BEFORE beginning the PTO? Our current board is behind the change and we don't forsee that this would be a heated topic. Just want to do it right.
-Any other words of wisdom out there for this process?
