Last year we really got our PTO going. We didn't have much to give each teacher, but they did get a little bit, but at the end of the year we still had a few that had not spent it. This year we've made it a competition. The one with the most at meetings, the one that had the most to join PTO, the class that brings in the most Box Tops and Tyson A+ Labels. One class has received $100.00 so far. Last year 10 teachers joined PTO, This year it's 100%, (they can't get the money for the most at our meetings without being a member themselves). More of them actually come to meetings now. We also have more parents involved. It seems that our teachers respond better to a competion than a hand out. We also have door prizes at meetings. Everyone that has worked in our school is amazed at the parents this year. We don't raise a whole lot, we focus more on getting Parents/Teachers commucating and involved with the children.
I agree with the others. Token gifts for teacher appreciation are one thing. Handing over $100 gift to each teacher is totally different. As a parent, I would not feel this was appropriate and I would be disturbed that my child's effort towards any fundraising activities contributed to this use of funds.
As the others also pointed out, this is not in keeping with the way a tax exempt organization should operate, so that's yet another issue.
Either make the gift available for classroom expenditures (with receipts) or find another way to use the funds to benefit the school and children.
Teachers are generally so grateful for additional supplies, "luxuries" like colored copy paper, school programs, opportunities for staff development, etc. There are an endless array of ways you could spend the funds that the teachers are likely to appreciate without having the controversy. You could always combine it with a smaller teacher appreciation idea as well.
When we applied for 501(c)3 status,the IRS recommended we cease giving our teachers checks directly up front. Their reasoning: teachers are not charitable organizations; the PTO cannot prove that the money is used consistently with the mission of a 501(c)3 organization; and the amount given away was a sizable portion of our total expense budget. Instead, we now give our teachers a "credit" of $xx and a printed envelope in which they collect receipts. When they have enough in receipts, they turn in the envelope and we write them a check for $xx (max). We don't audit the receipts, so the teachers don't think we're "approving" their purchases. We just file the envelopes away. Incidentally, we distribute envelopes in June so teachers can save receipts from summer purchases. After our budget is approved in September, we announce that year's credit amount to the staff.
Are you legally able to "give donations" to teachers and still be eligible for 501(c)(3)? We have previously given our teachers stipends of $75 each at the beginning of the year and again before Christmas to offset any costs (and I believe most teachers spend more than $150 per year) for supplies on the classroom. We are in the midst of filing for 501(c)(3) status now and I was thinking of asking teachers for $75 worth of receipts if not this Christmas then starting at the beginning of next year.
Our teachers turn in their receipts and then are reinbursed for classroom related items. My own self personally I don't think teachers should use the money on personal items (clothes, etc). Since you have alot of money, have the teachers, and principal make suggestions on what the classrooms and school need. There is always something that can benefit the students, and staff.
Hi, We have had a suggesstion on giving our Teachers $100.00 each to spend how they see fit. One suggestion is a gift certificate, another is straight cash. Some parents think that it should be for classroom items, others feel it should just be a gift to the Teacher and they can spend it on clothes if they want. What are your suggesstions out there. By the way, we have too much money and not enough to spend it on so we are just wanting to share the wealth, and, by the way, our teacher's morale is very, very low due to the "principal" "budget cuts", etc. P.S. Our principal will probably be against this idea, but, by our bylaws, she is just a voting member and not our boss, so we don't have to do what she says, right?
