I am our school's PTO Vice President. When our Board took over last year there were no clear rules on the process regarding the PTO expenditures. We did, however, make sure that any expenditures were discussed with the principal prior to the purchase. Over the last year of our tenure, we have started to meet resistance from the Parish Financial Committee on various issues, such as having a parents-only social event that did not make any money (wasn't intended to!). Recently, the Board has also received a letter from our new principal stating what the new process will be regarding our finances. We had no input on these new procedures whatsoever. The school tells us that these "rules" come down from the Diocese. All monies received from PTO fundraisers & events have to be turned in to the school immediately. And in our account we are only "allowed" to keep a minumum amount of money to be used for petty cash and small reimbursements only. Otherwise the school keeps the money to be put into a General Fund. We feel as if the school and the finance committee are becoming too controlling over our organization and were wondering if anyone has experience with any Catholic Schools?? What is the typical relationship between the PTO & Parish/Diocese supposed to be?

You can certainly make your preferences heard as parents and as members of the congregation. But from what I've seen posted by others and from friends in your situation, a church school PTO is often completely controlled by the church. The PTO itself is often viewed as a specialized volunteer committee with all funds and major decisions controlled by the church, not a separate organization at all.

I'm not saying it must be that way, but it's quite common.

I am from a Christain school and we just asked this year if we could have our own seperate account. We asked the school administrader. We were approved. We don't have free reign to spend or buy whatever we want but it is a step in the right direction. For small purchases I just ask for the school card and when the bill comes they willl take the money out of our account. For big purchase or spending for fundraiseres or whatever we ask premission. I find that if you take liitle steps in this department you get farther than asking and taking a big jump and get turned down. This way our money is seperate from the general fund and doesn't get used for something else that we don't know about (like bills). The bonus of this is that we really don't need a secratary. We use the schools accountant. You could do the same if you have good relations with your schools secratary. I hope this helps.

We are in the same boat DonnaDS. I am the President the treasurer and I are trying to gain control over our funds that we feel aren't being used appropriately. We are a Chatolic school also. I am currently researching becoming and independent organization with our on insurance and tax status and such. If you have found out any more information please let me know. If you want to talk further please email me. elbaugh@yahoo.com