If it's always been this way, the principals have come to expect the PTO's money and may even include it in their school budgets. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but now there is at least one parent who thinks this seems odd (me, too, for the record). In essence, you are subsidizing your school with both your tax dollars and your fundraising support But, you do have a choice of whether or not to participate in the fundraising. And you have a choice of whether or not to be president of this group. Are you ready and willing to take on this battle? Sounds like you're facing a serious paradigm shift. I think you'll be more in the majority if your PTO takes ownership of its money. But do you have the stomach for the battle ahead? That's your call. Good Luck! Keep us posted.

I would set up a meeting with the other PTO presidents from the other schools and see how they deal with thier money. What would the schools pricipal say if you told her that the PTO wasn't going to do any fundraiser anymore unless things changes ... I'm sure she would change her mind seeing how if there was no fund raising there wouldn't be as many programs offered or her budget would be cut A LOT!! I would open a PTO checking account (if it's not in the bylaws that you can't) and start from there. I thought I had it bad with the lady I have to deal with but I think your takes the cake. GOOD LUCK : )

I would get in touch w/ the PTO Pres from the other schools in your town and get the scoop on how this is handled. I can't imagine a whole town turning their funds into the school! Maybe the other Principals have better communication w/ their board? Is this a system wide policy? If not I would definately set up seperate PTO account!

Thank you so much for your advice, but there is a new and unfortunate twist to the story. The principal gave me a copy of the by laws from one of the elementary schools in our city to consider in updating our by laws. It stated that according to our State Department of Education the principal has the authority to disburse funds as they see fit, when necessary. I could not imagine that this was not somehow taken out of context.......so this morning I called the State Department of Education. I was first transfered four times because no one thought they had a policy about PTO, but were not sure. The fourth person said he did not think that was accurate, but let him check. He called me back 5 hours later and said that if our funds were turned into the school and not deposited into an independent bank account that the principal had full authority to use the money as she saw fit. Well, we turn every cent we raise into the office and never see it again. We get purchase orders for buying drinks and candy to sell at intramural activities, etc. but that is it. I ask was the principal at least required to inform us of her purchases and his response was "I wouldn't go as far as to say that" I ask then what was the purpose of even having PTO Officers (beyond to fundraise) and why were they expected to go before the PTO and pass the principal' budget? His response, "In hopes that the budget will be followed." I ask if it was not did we the parents have a right to then take action. The answer, "I can't help you there either".

Big question, WHAT NOW? It is now my understanding that every PTO in the city (we are actually more of a med. size town: 3 elem., 1 middle, 1 HS) handle there resources through the central office. If we even had the opportunity to push to seperate our funding from the school......what are the risk? I know that parent morale is so low right now I have no idea who would support our efforts publicly even if they agreed. Many parents that carry any clout at school would not cross school administration due to social connections outside of school. Most importantly, will there be a trickle down effect that will impact my child?

I just do not think that I could in good faith stand up and ask parents to pass a budget that I will have no idea if it is even adhered to through out the year. Not to mention a budget full of loop holes for rearranging funds.

I would appreciate any opinions on this new information. Thanks so much!

Wow! What a way to start out as President! If you want to do it the right way find you bylaws and there you will find out just how your organizaiton is supposed to work! Our Parent and Faculty Organization is a democracy. We all work together and decide together how things will be done. Everything is done by a vote. Who ever comes to the Ways and Means meeting helps prepare the budget for the coming year. It's voted on by the people who attend the meeting. The principal attends every meeting but doesn't have they ability to over ride any decision we make on his own. Any expenditure of $50.00 has to be voted on at a meeting. Anything under $50.00 can be decided by two board members. This $50.00 rule is in our Bylaws. We currently have a budget of $30,000 for a school of 360 students.

If your strong and want to do the right thing. Find some parents to back you up and go for it! Protect the kids money! If you are all going to volunteer to raise money for the kids it should be used for the kids not however the principal wants it to be used!

Good Luck!

First welcome Meg!! This is my....fourth office? Anyway, you are SO not alone with this whooe Principal thing but unfortunatly it sounds like you are just the $35,000 she needs in her budget and (shame on you) the parents are in her way!
I agree with finding the by-laws, and talking to the parents that served last year if they haven't moved . Kind of different idea and I'm one of the few to offer this but I would be tempted to call the school district offices and see if you can talk to someone about your concerns (not an issue, but a concern) and sometimes they might have a set of "rules" for PTO's. Example, our money is to ne held in a sepate account with the school's accounts at the schools bank. NO NO it is awsome! But enough about me...that could be it's own post itself.
If she is acting like this it makes you wonder what happened in other schools to make her feel this way....doesn't it?
I know you want to go into that office and take that checkbook and tell her "NOW HEAR THIS..." but hang on, this maybe a better time to just play it cool. Get to know her as she has no idea who you are if she is wondering what you are all doing at the school anyway. Meg, what would you advise your child to do? No, I'm not off my rocker, sometimes we have to revert back to playground survival skills to survive.....check into things, play it cool, remember there is always another year and thank you for wanting to do this. NO really, it takes alot to say "Sure, I'll do it." YOU ARE NOT ALONE EITHER!!! We have all wanted to walk away at one point or another, don't let her get the better of you! Maybe this will leave you with a smile....I have 5 children with the youngest 14 months old....that's 18 + the 7 years I have already been in the PTO.....yeah. [img]smile.gif[/img] I gues you can say I have learned a little in human relations!
Good Luck Meg......