PTO Today

We won’t call it our monthly theft update, but sometimes it seems that way. 

Here,  a former Florida PTO treasurer is arrested and charged with theft of $15,000 from her group.  And right along with it is story of ex-PTA treasurer in Washington state getting jail time (good) for stealing nearly $8,000 from her group.

Worth repeating:  no group is immune.  There are best practices you can take to significantly reduce your chances of being victimized.  And, of course, getting insurance for your parent group is a no-brainer.

I’m surprised (because the PC police usually win) and happy that this PTA in Kansas is sticking to its guns and allowing alcohol at its off-campus, adults-only fundraising auction.

Let’s see… parents getting together, having a nice time, supporting the school.  Yeah, sounds awful.  Perhaps the lesson to the protesting kids could be that adults can have a nice time out, have a drink or two and be really responsible.  And when those kids get older, hopefully they will be just as responsible (and support our schools), too.

What would your group do in this spot?

This could be the start of a trend. First Tennessee sent down some rules from on-high this past summer.  Now the Alabama Department of Ed. is trying to codify some policies across all its many districts. The Alabama rules seem well done.  Groups need to have an EIN and follow strong accounting provisions and bond their treasurers.  All good advice and nice to see the state providing the guidelines (and not over-stepping in an effort to exert too much control).

Interested in your feedback on this one and if it’s happening in your state.

Hmmmmm…. hate to see this one. The Connecticut Attorney General’s office has opened up an investigation of a local Catholic High School and QSP/Reader’s Digest (the fundraising guys) over a Casino Night fundraiser.  Looks like group was using real casino-like equipment that may have been provided by QSP.  I’m betting that there’s more to this story and that perhaps the casino wheel was part of the reward at the end of a successful magazine drive, but we’ll see. 

Raffle/gambling rules are different in every state and often very hard to figure out.  Usually, good-faith efforts by good causes get a pass.  Clearly, though, groups can push it too far and wind up with some ‘splainin’ to do. 

So I was interviewed for this embezzle story from an Arkansas paper. Reporter did a good job of capturing most of the basics (PTA dues structure, PTA membership decline), but missed one really key element of the story. Arkansas state PTA leaders make the really bold claim that being a PTA would have prevented this PTO’s embezzle loss. All I suggested was that reporter do a google search on “PTA + Embezzle” and another on “PTO + Embezzle” The clear conclusion: embezzlement is an equal opportunity challenge for parent groups. No doubt. Related link: All of these stories make it more clear than ever that your PTO should get insurance.

Maryland feature takes look at why PTOs need insurance. Need more info? Here’s our feature on same topic. And details on the PTO Today insurance program for parent-teacher groups (with lower rates than ever before!).

Former PTO treasurer of now-closed (Katrina) school in Louisiana facing probe of very questionable actions. PayPal account in treasurer’s name (using PTO’s Tax ID #) is the smoking gun.

Wouldn’t wish this stuff on an enemy. Looks like former Baltimore County PTA Council head has issues. Charges filed (and restraining order issued) amidst ugly harrassment and threat charges, stemming back to a trip to national PTA convention.

Oft-overlooked insurance issues nearly take down impressive before- and after-school programs of this Garden State PTA. Is your group insured? Not sure? Get all your answers from our insurance partner by clicking here.

This Florida story has the kind of ending we like: convicted embezzler writes check for full restitution of more than $25,000 from local PTA. And here’s another from Massachusetts, where former PTO leader gets weekends and jail and restitution as sentence for embezzle conviction.