If I am reading your post correctly, you are trying to figure out if the principal has the authority to take over, not just funds, but the group as well.

If your group has its own 501(c)3 identification number (is registered with the IRS as a separate entity from the school), then the principal can not take over so to speak. You would be considered a separate organization from the school and the school district.

If your group does not have its own 501(c)3 status, then the principal, as head of the school, can step up and decide what happens, not just to the money, but the group as well. The group could be considered more of a school club in this scenario, and the funds would follow suit.

You should ALWAYS require receipts. It is to protect your group as well as keep people honest. It doesn't matter whether the principal got the money from you or from school funds, both would need a receipt for reimbursement. And she knows this.

Look at the group's Mission Statement. What does it say? Look into the Bylaws. What do they say? Have the Treasurer call the IRS and find out if you are a separate 501(c)3 group. If you find that you are, explain to the principal that while you are happy to accomodate her on most levels, that you are a separate group and as such will conduct yourselves as such when things come down to brass tacks. If it turns out that you are not a separate 501(c)3 organization, fix it fast, keep your mouth shut (wow, that sounds harsh...lol), and move on.

It was nice of you to agree to pay for the uniform, however she has funds for that. She should be providing a receipt and thanking you, not giving you grief. Even though you have resigned, you really should follow up to make sure that this gets taken care of.

Good Luck!

I would think no reimbursement without receipts. We must have receipts for anything that comes out of our PTO account. It protects you if you ever get audited and keeps the honest people honest.

District 187 has gone through a major reorg. Our elementary schools are K-5, creating a 6th grade center, middle school (7-8), & 1 high school. I joined the PTO and was elected secretary. Year got off to slow start. We have close to 400 students at the 6th Grade Center and only 13 PTO membes (6 active). So I do just about everything. Things were going good until the Principal (who attends every meeting) brought it to our attention that a family was burned out-kids needed uniforms. At the time, new officers had not gone to the bank to fill out signature cards, so the Principal gave $100 to Mr. Beckwith (Ex-PTO President) to purchase the items. The Principal would not disclose the family, or the student that the donation was for and never submitted receipts. We know for a fact that other outside organizations donated for the fire victims as well. The principal started spreading rumors to other parents that we (PTO) would not reimburse her. I approached the Principal and told her she needs to submit receipts, she told me no one ever asked! The principal and I had other words and I resigned. 2 days later the Principal meets with the Acting Super to freeze the account and make the treasurer turnover everthing? The treasurer didn't resign--the secretary did. How are PTO financials handled? Can the Principal or School Board step in like this?

VOTE NO FOR PPO's!!!