Well it sounds like your group has everything covered. You're independant, have your own bank account, have Bylaws, etc.
What rights do you have?, pretty much all of the rights. You have the control here, assuming that the Principal wants you out, like you're assuming, and wants your money. He can't have both, so you're in a good spot. If he says "I want to disband the PTO and I want to keep all of your money", you get to easily say, "Ummm... No!".
At the same time, I agree with the other posts here. You need more specifics before jumping to these conclusions. Maybe he's only talking about difining the rest of the year, or finalizing all of the fundraisers. His comments can be taken in many different ways.
If it ends up as you feel just inform him that giving him control of the funds would be against the Bylaws. If he pushes then explain to him that this might be an issue for the Superintendant of School, School Committee, City Council, Mayor's office and possibly even the local media.
Hopefully it won't get to that point. Actually I'm hoping that you may have just misunderstood what he is looking for.
There must be something else going on here. I cannot imagine a principal in their right minds would close down a group that is doing the work as you've portrayed it. Is there more to the story?
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I'm assuming that because you are so small and struggling that you are not an independent, non-profit group, so my response below is based on that assumption:
Have you sat down with the principal and asked her what exactly she means by "closing up the PTO for the year"? If you haven't, then it is time for a face to face with her to find out exactly what her intentions are and then explain the parent's view and try to come to a resolution. If her intentions are to shut you down and take what money you have left, then I would very calmly tell her that you would like a wish list of items needed by the school to improve educational opportunities for the students and that you and the parents who serve with you in the parent group will go down the list and make purchases until the funds are exhausted. I would even add a line item for a small but nice teacher appreciation breakfast. If she won't give you a list, I would then speak to as many teachers as possible and personally take a good look around the school and come up with my own list. If you don't feel you can do that, then perhaps you might want to just make a donation of your entire account directly to the school district(not the school). All of the funds might not go to your school, but at least they will be used to improve education.
I can't imagine a principal who wouldn't be absolutely thrilled with her school's parents bringing in that kind of money for programs/supplies for the school, especially in a low income neighborhood/community. Also, while it's nice to reward teachers for the special and sometimes very difficult work they do, they should be ashamed of themselves for being so greedy and looking for personal gain through the money that the parents raised to improve educational opportunities.
If the money is in your bank account, then it's probably tough for the principal to make you leave the money with her. Even harder if you're officially incorporated and recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. I assume you/ the board has control of the bank account.
It would be great if you could find a tax lawyer or accountant to come with you to a meeting with the principal and explain how gift cards to restaurants don't really fit the IRS requirements.
It sounds like you've done a great job raising funds for your priorities ... and maybe you need to meet with a few teachers to see what their priorities are, and bring these proposals to the meeting with the principal. Start with a few sympathetic teachers -- maybe ask the librarian what teachers are benefitting most from the new books -- and tell them how the IRS would frown on some of the things the past president was paying for, so you need new ideas: classroom supplies, computers, etc.
With a $200 budget, maybe it was hard to do anything but a few gift cards; with $19k, maybe they haven't thought about what they could do with that money if they don't fritter it away on small stuff.
Hello everyone!!!! I really need help and I am hoping that someone is still up so they can give some much needed advice!! I am the VP of our PTO of a very low income school, that does not have very much teacher and non-existent parent participation. (there are only 2 people on our board.) My partner and I have increased our account from maybe 200.00 to 19,000 dollars in 1 year. We have acquired new library books through grants for our library, I am the boxtop coordinator, I recently sealed the deal with the district to purchase new playground equipment with no cost to the PTO and like a lot of you out there have my own family, work and I attend nursing school. The problem?? Teachers are used to receiving gift cards for local restaurants, food for parent-teacher conferences, etc. I swear they think we are the First Bank of Yuma!!!!!! the last PTO President paid for the most ridiculous requests, and never used the money on what it was there for, the kids. Yes, we have bylaws that state teachers must request in writing their needs/wants, our Principal is only there for advisement, she is not "part" of the PTO. We have strict rules on what we pay for and what we don't pay for. Now, the Principal wants to set up a meeting to see how the school can "look at the logistics for closing up PTO for the year." Duh, that means adios... and leave the money here. What are our rights?? Can they do this??? Any replies would be appreciated.
