We are a 501 and our principal plays an important role in our group. Does he make the final decisions on financial issues? NO, does he have more say in our events and family nights? YES. we run everything by him mainly because you need that strong support system. He is in his second year at our school and even before he was here we ran everything by our principal. This doesn't mean that they had the final say, they just may have pointed out some potential "issues" or something different we could add with it. A good relationship between group and principal results in a cteamwork approach.
If your principal wants total final say there may be a history on why??

We run everything by our principal. Sometimes she isn't interested in our ideas. Sometimes we have to beg for her to agree with us, but we all work together for the sake of the children.

The Principal doesn't usually have final say, but he often has input. How much input varies from situation to situation.

For me the questions would be:

1) What is your organization's structure? Are you:
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• an independent non-profit set up as a 501(c)(3)</font>
• a sub-unit of the school using its tax ID and with it controlling your funds/operations</font>
• something in between</font>

2) What is the purpose of the PTO and what is the history of its relationship with the school administration?

The more independent your organization, the more no one external should be controlling decisions.

History is important also. If roles have been set a certain way, especially for a long period, that has to be considered. It's not that things can't change, but (in my opinion) it's not fair for new leadership (principal or PTO officers) to suddenly appear on the horizon and decide how it was done in the past was "wrong".

People in this Forum will share varying views on how the PTO should/can work. You need to take what you hear and apply it to your situation.

Regardless - open communication is key to success.

[ 11-08-2006, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: JHB ]

Depends on how your PTO is set up

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• Is the PTA/O a seperate entity from the school?</font>
• Principal is the person who lets the PTA/O's raises funds, do activities</font>
• Most PTA/O's pick a mission and vison (ie XYZ PTA/O at the disrection of members want to run programs to enhance the school and our childrens education- so you get to pick, decide and vote on siad programs</font>
• Principal in a perfect world would just be another cog in the wheel (ie School would like to run XYZ programs, assemblies, purchase equipment, supplies and one of the many parts of the PTA/O's buget would cover none, some or all depending on how membersjhip votes</font>

The big thing is are you a part of the school (using their Tax ID/EIN) or a separate 501c3 (Nonprofit)

If your not you can (but shouldnt) be subject to the whim of the Principal and how the money is spent (I wouldnt advice a Principal to do it that way but they could)

[ 11-08-2006, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

i'm new to the pto. Trying to get a since of order to the chain of command. Does the principal have final say on all things that the pto money goes for. PLEASE I need help