I am curious to know what other PTO's consider using raised funds for. This year our group did not designate any particular areas for monies raised. (We stated at our fall fund raiser that we were raising funds to benefit all activities of the PTO ie..social events, literacy programs including A/R and to help supplement our planned budget). I am asking this because recently our teachers have been treating our check book like their own, and when we ask questions about the items they are asking for become very combative and insulted that we may actually turn them down (I believe some of the items should be covered by district funds and have said as much only to be that the teachers feel that I have a rebuttal for everything they ask for. This is not true as I have never turned down any of their requests.) We do our approvals by majority votes, but I think some of the parents do not always understand what it is the teachers are asking for, or that it is actually okay to ask questions. I do have parents who would like to be able to give some of the monies earned back to the students in the way of class room treats, or a free social event since they are the ones who actually earn the money, but the teachers do not seem as enthusiastic.

I know in the end it is the students who should benefit from our efforts (in the way of helping to enhance their education process), but I just don't seem to understand how banners for the teachers doors, or racks to hang books on would benefit the children.

we have strict guidelines by our school district:

1. support of education(books, computers, supplies etc...)
2. community building(field trips, carnivals, etc...)
3. must benefit the student body/staff....meaning, no fund supports a specific family or teacher.


you have to come up with a budget and your categories.

we have 36 classrooms. each classroom receives $250 for classroom supplies and $250 to offset the cost of transportation for fieldtrips.

we also have $5000 set aside for grants. this is for above and beyond the $250 per classroom.


set a budget and guideline, meet with your principal and then present it to the community and vote on it.

otherwise.....they will feel like you are an endless ATM machine!

email me, I have a grant application form. diemsellers@comcast.net