PTO Today

Thanks to Lowe’s (and the Toolbox for Education grant program in which PTO Today is proud to play a role), a ton of good work is getting done at schools all across the country.

Here’s another example, as this PTA in southern Illinois gets $5,000 for a playground revamp. Cool stat from the article: Lowe’s and the Toolbox program will give more than $6.5 million to schools and PTOs and PTAs through the program this year alone. Honestly, Lowe’s doesn’t get enough credit (and they get quite a bit!) for this commitment.

This stinks. This group saved for years for a new school sign, paid a (too) large deposit, and now the sign company is gone. Poof.

My read: yes,l I realize the local vendor was only a franchisee of the national Sign-a-Rama chain, but that parent company needs to do the right thing here. There is a connection.

Better news: we have some great, reputable school sign vendors in our School Signs yellow pages.

Jon Carson over at the cMarket blog shares some interesting early-returns data on school auctions this year. The upshot: no big surpirse — looks like the big, big donations and the big, big bids are down a bit this fall. But thankfully, broad support for the lower-level items seems to be holding steady.

How are your results going?

How’s your fall fundraiser going? This Lancaster (PA) feature takes a critical look at some early-return fundraising struggles for area schools. My take on the current situation included in the piece.

Will just add a bit to my quotes that made the piece: think one big challenge will be what groups will do if these lower returns continue. There will be great tempation to run another big fundraiser or two. Trouble with that, though, is that more groups than ever will start to suffer from over-fundraising-itis.

I’d rather adjust the budget down if we have to (or work even harder on our one biggy) than lose parents for the long-term by fundraising them to death.

How are your returns so far this year? And what are you doing about it?

Interesting ruling in Iowa, where state Board of Ed tells schools that they can not charge fees for school-day, curriculum-related field trips. Such fees are akin to tuition, rules the Board.

I can see the thinking here. Reminds me of a similar debate over during-school fundraising reward assemblies. I have no problem with all kinds of extra-curriculars, including those that might charge fees. But it does seem that — especially at a public school — that the school day should be open to all… and free.

You agree?

PS — Speaking of field trip funds, Target has a generous field trip grant program that’s worth a look.

This Washington Post column brings up an interesting issue — why are Principals fundraising (especially when they have an active parent group already doing so?

Talk about fundraising burnout! The parents at this school must be buying locks for their wallets. At most well-working schools the goals (and the fundraising) is shared. The idea of parents trying to differentiate between a Principal’s fundraiser and a PTO’s is just not realistic. To parents, it’s all just the school reaching into their pockets again, and — long-term — that’s a recipe for turned off parents and (ironically) lower fundraiser earnings. Not good.

This happening at your school? Why?

Quick story from the Tar Heel State on a PTO looking to repalce traditional fundraisers with more creative efforts.

I understand the motivation, but the story, like many on this theme, doesn’t make one key connection. Story describes a karate event as a replacement for gift wrap and cookie dough, and story furhter describes how the PTO makes $5 a head for 61 participants. That’s $300! I’m not saying it’s a bad event, but it’s a far, far cry from replacing gift wrap and cookie dough. You’d have to host 20 of those events to make up the dollars missing from one decent cookie dough sale.

Groups need to be careful that baby (field trips, teacher support, enrichment, playgrounds, involvement events) doesn’t get washed out with the “these fundraisers are bad” bathwater.

Few details at this point, but former volunteer under arrest in $40,000 theft. Hope these guys have insurance.

Sentencing comes through for former PTA treasurer convicted of stealing $180,000 (yes — nearly 200 grand!) from her group over 5 year period. Appreciate the fact that other officers and school parents prosecuted and advocated for harsh sentencing. However, looks like the sentence will be one year of home confinement.

There are so many basic tips for solid money management for your PTO or PTA, but here’s one straight from the article: don’t have bank statements mailed directly to treasurer’s home. No way!

Is your group protecting its funds?

Have to give credit to Tennessee authorities for listening and responding to feedback about the 2007 “school support” regulations that came down last year.

Effective July 1, 2008, several clarifications and improvements have been made (Tennessee regs summarized here). The end result: common sense (and parent groupos and kids around the state) win!

In a nutshell, a needed distinction has been made between school funds and school events and parent group funds and parent group events. Parent groups aren’t required to be 501(c)(3)s and funds are not required to be run through the district. Financial best practices still encouraged. Nice.