One of the neatest ways I've heard of is to give each teacher an amount based on how many children they have in class (I think the average was something like $5 per student).
In our school, the PTA grants each teacher $100 for supplies. To me that seems fair, though I think the art teacher should be allowed more. After that, they don't honor requests unless it benefits the entire school. That's due more to their interpretation of the IRS ruling that no "one" shall benefit from the funds you raise--I spoke to an IRS rep about that, and he told me that as long as the teacher wasn't taking the stuff home, a request fulfillment to a class is OK, since no "one" will benefit--kids in the following years will be too.
I'd poke around on older threads--I pretty sure I've seen this topic come up.
Our PTO, in the summer, sends a letter to all teachers telling them that we are giving them each $200 to spend on supplies, as needed (or any amount that would work for you). We used to have a problem getting "nickeled and dimed" with requests, so now we ask that all teacher requests go through the principal. He screens them and sees if their request can go through the school budget (we're a private school).
Perhaps you may to try and allot an amount per grade or per section. This way, for example, your middle school won't end up getting more than the lower elementary. Just a thought.
Shelly
Depends. We budget $250 per teacher for what ever they need. We also provide them $100 each for supplies. If they have a large request, it must be voted on by the board. We do have money budgeted for staff development, assemblies, etc as well in case their request fits in those items.
This is my first post!! We are a new PTO. Our Charter School is in its second year. My question is...How do you handle teacher requests for funds? We have funds available and would like to meet the need sof the teacher but our school is currently K-8 and will be K-11 next year. How do we, as a PTO, decide which wishes to grant?? Any advice welcomed.
