We have been doing our books this way since the school opened in 1996 and yes we do still have parents that don't like it but I just went though a hour meeting with the bookkeeper and she was appauled at the mistakes our former treasurer made and showed me how to correct them and assurered me we would be fine during the next audit.
As far as the school 'taking' money from our account without our knowledge has happened once, to pay OUR UPS bill! She forgot to tell us and problem solved.
I am slowing understanding there is a HUGE difference between PTO and PTA and our school is very different as far as public schools are. Also money is always a hot topic!
Leza, keep us informed as you can see, it's a hot topic!
Jo and plw- it's been a LONG week! But that's another forum!!!
mykidsmom-I am really glad this system has worked for you. This is just another example though, of how different our problems can be. There was recently a long thread of conversation about schools wanting to "funnel" their money through the PTA/PTO. Many schools take advantage of their parent groups to take care of their book keeping and often because it is such a pain for them to get their money back out of "school funds". We all can relate to some things on these boards and of course, be offended. Sorry you took it that way. Best Wishes
Since I am PTA this would not fly with me. I would be on the phone with my state PTA office in a heartbeat. This is one advantage of belonging to a larger network than myself. I am able to obtain training, advice and legal council if need be, which is free. But for those who are not PTA, my thoughts are... if the parent group is competent enough to raise funds, they are competent enough to decide how to allocate the funds. In my opinion the school and the parent group should be two seperate entities working together for the good of the students. My principal and I have a great respect for one another and work wonderfully together. But as always I want to state that whether we are PTA or PTO the imprtant common thread is that we are there for the benefit of the kids, bottom line.
I just took over a PTO that two years ago split away from the school. I couldn't believe that they were ever part of it to begin with. We are still cleaning up the mess. New tax id numbers, sales tax forms, non-profit status. You are a seperate organization and they cannot force you to not be. Hold your ground.
Mykidsmom,
So sorry you were bothered by our negative responses. You know we love ya!! It's great that this method has worked so well for your group. I don't know if your PTO has always worked that way or they just suddenly made the switch. If they did suddenly switch, my guess is that the PTO board at the time may not have been too thrilled (at least not until they understood why). (Unless of course it was brought about because of a bookkeeping problem...)
Didn't mean to upset you or sound like this idea would never work! But I sure would like to know why they are making the changes.
Leza- That is THE only way it is done at our school! PER THE SCHOOL DISTRICT our account is kept with the school and we submit our bills, invoices, etc to the school bookkeeper. Once amonth we recieve a statement from the school to reconcile our ledger. No One can steal from our account, if the if a mistake (which has happened)we met with the school and the problem is resoved. Our books are audited with theirs.
Right now the former Treasurer dated NOTHING and I am so thankful I can go to the school and check her originals to my copies for the dates- and even check amounts.
I read in this forum about PTO/PTA loosing thousands of dollars in cash and can't imagine how they survive! Any cash I recieve is turned in right away to the school and THEY go to the bank and I get the receit from them.
Before you start fighting, get more info about how this will be handled, this really can be to your benifit. I am just really bothered right now by everyones responces to an idea that has worked oout great for our group.
This time I'm not sorry I'm so long winded ( I know I usually am)
