Last year our former president had approved the purchase of 2 speaker systems for our kindergarten. The principal had asked if the PTA would purchase these at a total cost of $3600. Now he is asking for another speaker system for the same grade (another $1800) Is this something that the pta should pay for? Shouldn't money raised be used for the entire school? Are we supposed to be supplementing their budget?

lisee, the best way I can think of to answer your questions is to pose a few of my own first? What is the mission of your group? Does this expenditure fall within that mission?Does your group vote on expenditures? Do you think the group would approve this additional purchase? Answering these questions may help you to determine if what the school is asking for is reasonable.

You say that the former president approved the initial purchase, is it common for one person to make that decision? If so, that's something I would get changed right away. Your entire membership should have the opportunity to vote on spending large sums like this, especially when it is affecting such a small portion of the student population. Both groups I have been part of try to balance out expenditures so that all grade levels benefit as equally as possible.

Many parent groups make purchases such as those you describe because the items are needed in the classroom or at least would greatly enhance the education of their students and these items are beyond the often times very limited budgets of the school. It's really up to the group to determine how far they want to go with "supplementing" the school's budget.