I too, would be interested in other peoples' replies. All fundraising at our school goes through our APT account, except the Media Center's events. Since we also have a focus on language, we recommended they have their own fund raiser to prevent a drain on the general budget. As a new school, we're still figuring it out. It irked me when the Media Director asked the APT to fund AR prizes of a limo ride and pizza at the end of the year -- she wouldn't even ask for a donation. We said "no,see if someone will donate", and guess what? she did get it donated. I think it never hurts to ask, and then the guidelines need to be established.
I think there is always some tension in this area. We want to fund things that are outside what the school system provides -- the nice extras that make our school special. But there are always "needs" that are un- or underfunded by the district. On the one hand, we want to fund these needs; but on the other hand, we don't want to set a precedent so that in future years the district feels it doesn't need to provide funds since we will pick up the cost. We've had that issue this year with "consummables" -- workbooks that are used up and must be repurchased each year. The county doesn't fund them, the teachers say they need them, and once we start down that road, we're afraid we'll be on the hook for years to come. It's a catch-22.
We've also had something come up this year which really annoys me. Our librarian, who is one of the only teachers able to do fundraisers of her own (bookfairs, coupon books, etc.) asked us for $$ to buy AR books and tests. I feel like that is a basic need that should be covered by the county; and I know that she has spent lots of money on nice "extras" including audio-visual equipment and recording equipment for the (elementary school) tv studio. It irks me that she spends her money on these discretionary items, then comes to us for funding for books! Has anyone else dealt with a problem like this one? I was thinking that next year we might ask teachers to show what other funds they have available to them when they apply to us for money. I think we have a right to know if they have truly exhausted their resources, but I don't want to make them uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
There's really nothing wrong with what you want to do but there are some things you need to consider. First, will you require the school board to accept your donation prior? Second, will the item(s)you wish to purchase become property to be used in that school alone? For instance, if you purchase audio-visual equipment, can the school district remove it from your school to use, possibly permanantly, in another school in the district?
Our school had similar problems. Our school already had good playground and sports equipment so we didn't need more. We did raise money to buy televisions and the wall mounts for every classroom for a closed-circuit system since the county would not provide that. We (PTO) did stipulate that it was to be used for educational purposes only and not to watch TV or cartoons. We also purchased a school-wide software program for their county-purchased computers. Why when you buy that many computers, the software does not come with it, I don't know! At least everything is being used by the students!
There are several things our PTO would like to do with our money but some seem to be more of a school responsibility rather than PTO. For instance, this past fall we raised over $8,000 to have ceiling tiles installed in the elementary school gym to cut down on the noise! To me that was really school maintenance but the school board didn't help with any $ at all! Now we are working on getting TV / VCR's purchased and mounted in every classroom for computer software instruction as a class. Does anyone feel this is wrong? I am running for PTO President for next year and am currently Treasurer. I am proud our PTO can do this but just wondered if we are over stepping. :confused:
