it kind of sounds like your district is trying to prevent something from happening, is it possible that another group in the district is undergoing some negative financial happenings that is putting the district's reputation on the line? It is a tough spot to be in and if we were forced to do so I would do it, why? From your post they just want control of who is able to cash a check? is this correct in that you don't need permission on what it goes for but just two signers? there is a difference there. I can actually see more districts doing this with the more noticeable embezzlement that is going on nation wide in all organizations.
If I may add my perspective, our PTO is going through a similar problem (you refer to my posts if you so wish). We, too, are our own group with our own tax number. We held an Executive Board Meeting yesterday, a grueling 2hours, at which we were told, by the Superintendent of our district that, in essence, we have no say in what our PTO does, that our principal has the final say in EVERYTHING we do, and that she has control over our budget!
The only advice I can offer is 1)Fight your best fight. Facts only! Take it to your parent members. Let them know what and how things are going for the group. Trust me, the majority of them won't be very happy! 2)If you do get "pushed out of the school" -- spend the money. Donate it to a local cause, food bank, children's charity, whatever it takes! Again, take it to the parents, let them vote where it goes and then just do it. What can they do when the money is gone? Make sure though that you know what, if any, repercussions there will be. We are currently looking at that course too.
3)Find out from other groups at other schools in your district and find out if they are having the same problems. 4)Make them accountable for their actions. Let the community know what their school board/administrators position is regarding money that comes from families. If necessary, go to your local newspaper and find out who writes about Education issues. Chances are they have a reporter who covers school things. Let them know. If there is interest in a story they may do it.
Hope some of this helps you and your group.
Good luck!
As with most groups when you are a seperate organization you govern yourself and the BOE and Super have no control over what you do or control of your money. The catch however is that you opperate within their building so if you do not do what they want they can tell you that you can no longer operate within their building. So they can choose to put you out of the building and form a new group.
This is really sad that this has happened. Did something occur in the past that has prompted them to do this now? You basically have 2 choices at this point. Do what they want or fight them. In order to fight them you will need the support of the parents and you will have to go to BOE meetings and raise hell. The only way to beat them is to make them think this is a losing battle. You will need to decide what is best for your group and school.
We have had some issues arise with the Business Office and Superitendent wanting to control our PBC. They have gone as far as having our group go to the School board and having them tell us what we do and when we do it with funds that we have. We are our own Group with our own tax ID #. The Board said that they have full control on what we do and told us that we had to have the school business manger on our checking account and she is to always be one of the two signers on all checks we cut. On top of being audited by there auditor every year. What are the parents rights here? We don't have anything to hide, that's not the case, they are just making us fill like we are nothing and we can't be trusted. We as parents have worked so hard to help our childrens school and we don't know what to do to protect our group for the future.
