It is probably the case that neither the PTO leadership, nor the Administration leadership wants to fail the students. So, I suggest this; ask your PTO group and your administration group to list, independently, the projects that each feels is important this year. Then, have a meeting, together, to discuss the two lists. Encourage attendees to discuss candidly and openly their reasons for supporting each project on their respective list. At the end of the meeting, develop a new, common, list together. I'll bet you will have moved closer on more than just the project list.
Then fund the ones at the top, even if you don't like everything.
You will have begun a positive dialogue and the fact that you were willing to "give" first will benefit the school.
Our situation wasn't as obvious until last year. In our situation (that is soooooo long and detailed there are still law siuts pending) was made better when a mediator through our school district was brought into the picture. He listened, investigated, spoke with everyone and was really careful about not saying "what I think" but he would say "what I see and am hearing is..."
The hard part with asking for a wish list is the items they think are dire need and are over the $500 mark when your board was thinking more along the lines of how many $100 items can we purchase to make a difference. Of cousre these are issues that need to out on the table but it might not be a bad idea to have a mediator type of person there (shcool board member?)
I would ask them what they feel the school really needs...perhaps some type of wish list for items they would like to have. Then you guys will know what the school really needs and you can maybe decide on something you will plan to purchase for the school. Many PTO's buy items for their school if they have the finances to do so.
I would try to bridge the gap there and work together with your administration. They can provide valuable insight into the needs of your school. There are things that PTO's can do when school budgets just won't allow it. If they request that you fund something that is really needed then there shouldn't be anyone walking out. I couldn't imagine being an officer and not getting along with people within the school. I hope you are successful at working it out!
We are going through a rough spot in our PTO and I am physically ill from the stress. Last year's fundraiser was very successful and now the PTO is being asked by the administration about what we plan to do with the funds we hope to raise this coming year. In the past we've not made enough money that anyone has even noticed or cared. All of the sudden we're the most popular people on the block.
The hardest part is that our administration is generally disliked by many of the active parents at the school, (and very often for good reason, IMHO). Although I understand and sympathize, my general thinking is that we are one big (dysfunctional) family and need to find a way to work through this. Other leadership think we need to tell them to take a hike (I'm putting it nicely).
The worst part is that if we do 'negotiate' through this, some of our most active, hardworking, dedicated parents are possibly/probably going to walk out on the PTO.
