I don't know that your view that the school will be deprived of funds is accurate. They will still have the fundraisers, the money will just go directly to the school.

Our district has the same rule of only two sales fundraisers per year (per elementary school) and that's ANY fundraiser by any group, so "yes", the principal has to approve them. Long ago the school owned both, when I first got involved, the PTO owned both, then the school took one back. It's changed over time during the twenty or so years our school has been around.

For this year, the district decided that they wanted the schools to own the fundraisers and the Parent Groups to focus more on volunteerism, events, and other ways they support the school.

I don't think we've had any opposition to this change. Our PTO has always felt we do many, many things for the school. Fundraising was just one thing on the list, and we never wanted to be viewed simply as a fundraising machine. (We'll still provide volunteers to run the fundraisers for the school.)

Note, we will still have a small budget as we have membership dues, sell T-Shirts, and hold a spring fling that nets $3000-$5000. (An event does not count as a sales fundraiser for our rules.)

If you really want to continue with fundraisers, then you should find out exactly what the rule is. Maybe you can still hold EVENTS that raise funds. Most schools are reacting to parents that feel their kids are being turned into a sales force, bringing home info on something else to buy every week. Families are just sick of it, and I can't blame them. But, optional events like family nights out, dances, carnivals can be a whole other category.

[ 02-25-2004, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]

You need to remember that the principal runs the show. He/She is in charge of running your school. They are their to protect the students, the school and the parents. That is their job. Your needs are second to theirs. Sorry, but that is the way it is.

Most school districts do have a policy on how many fundraisers a school may run, and that policy is based partly on how much they sponsor themselves or allow others (again, sponsoring in a way) stuff gets sent home for the student body to sell or have a hand in selling. There is no nice way to put this, but they are children (the principal's responsibility), not a personal sales force. I don't mean that to sound harsh, but sometimes honesty sounds that way.

You need to find out if your district counts your group fundraisers along with the school fundraisers. It sounds like they do... and that is their right. Doesn't make it fair, just the way it is.

Once you know where you stand, it will be easier to know who to address your concerns and wishes to. I would caution you that if the powers that be are already looking for a reason to close the school, discontent between the administration and an active parents group is fuel for the fire. Be concerned, be active, be aggressive, but most of all, be careful. You don't want disagreements over fundraising to be the reason they close the school. Funds are necessary, but not at the cost of your school. Find a way to compromise with your principal. Find a way to run fundraisers that aren't student body powered (like a rumage sale that can be advertised in the local newspaper or on the local TV station). This may be the way to go because you aren't using the school or the students to make the money you so desperately need.

Lastly, when you said that you gave the principal some money:

I might also add we have given our Principal money this school year to help him, he has seemed to forget that.

does this mean you gave over everything from the fundraiser? I can only add that unless this is the case, it would appear that you and the school are working against each other in the long run. The reality is that unless your group and the principal have the same agenda for where the money should go, this whole thing may be for naught. You need money to keep your school open? You need money for extras? You need money for what? What exactly are the powers that be looking to shut your school down for? Have you asked the principal what your group can do to help that doesn't necessitate a fundraiser? Maybe money isn't the big issue. Could be test scores, in which case tutoring would be more helpful than a fundraiser... Know what I mean? Seek (answers) and ye shall find...

Good Luck!

It's impossible to answer your question without knowing where you are; every district has different requirements.

In ours, the schools are restricted to two fundraisers per year, but the parent group has no such restriction. Obviously, similar to what kmamom states, we still need to get permission from the school to distribute materials and use school time and facilities to promote the fundraiser(s), but that hasn't been a problem because of the various benefits the group provides.

Your best bet might be to call around to other similar schools in your district and find out how/if they get around the two fundraiser requirement.

I second LUV. If you have any sort of budget or can show where the money will go it would get your point across better. Are you a part of the school (use their EIN number, are school funded?), or a separate entity? If you're separate, they can't stop you from raising money, but they could not give you access to the school grounds for an event, or send flyers home with the kids.I'd call the BOE, and see if there is some sort of fundraising rule on the books. From my experience you can be told that you can't or won't be approved to do fundraising, but in actuality the powers that be just don't encourage it because they fear public burnout from giving money. Check out the articles in the archives of PTO Today on the homepage, you should find good info there.

Good Luck, and keep us updated! :cool:

First, do you have a list of programs/events you would like to sponsor? Second, do you have an estimated budget for these programs/events? If so, go to your principal with these items and show him what the parents want to do and how much it will cost. Point out to him that the parents don't want to lose their school and they are willing to prove that by supporting these programs, but they can't do it without fundraising. Don't look at him as the "enemy" instead look at it as recruiting him to be on your team. Show him what wonderful things the PTO could do if given the opportunity and tell him that "you need him if you're going to make it happen". If he still seems unresponsive, take it to the school board-the same presentation and the same plea. They may be willing to allow more fundraisers if they know specifically how the money will be used.

I would go to the principal with only one or two people so he doesn't feel ganged up on, but if you go to the board take lots of parents but still have only one or two speakers.

Hi I need to know what PTO rights are legally. My Principal at our Elementary school is telling us we can't do a fundraiser for the spring. If we don't raise money we can't continue to help our school and our children. He says our Superintendant says we can only have two fundraisers a year, but our Principal is counting his fundraisers he has held for his own account. We recieved no money from these. I have been told that because we are not state funded they can't stop us from raising money for our school. Please help me with something I can show my Principal that he may see that we can earn money for our school. We are trying to raise money to make our school better because they are watching us to shut us down. They are wanting to see how much we want to keep our school but we cannot continue to do for our school without money. I might also add we have given our Principal money this school year to help him, he has seemed to forget that. Please respond fast I need to get this addressed as soon as possible. Thank you so much, Tiffany Anderson PTO President