The purpose of our PTO is to enhance the academic opportunities for our students and to underwrite improvements, as possible, to the facility/grounds that are needed but would otherwise not be covered by our school's budget from the district. As a result, our PTO has purchased technology, misc. class materials, new educational programs texts, the salaries of teaching assistants, upgraded playground equipment, and so on. The money is raised through sponsorships from local businesses and donations from school families.
We only spend money on the students!! We do not buy tech equipment or pay for teachers, training or anything else. Now our principal gets to pick out of the catalogs for the labels and such but any money raised is spent that year on the students for fieldtrips, prizes, parties etc.
It depends on the needs of the school and the interest of the parent body and administration. Last year the largest portion went to technology. This year we are going to be doing teaching training so they know how to use the new technology, we are doing a mural and some needed school improvements.
