We do allocate 150.00 per teacher each year. This includes aides and reading aides. We spend about 5,200 a year on this. However, the teachers do understand that if we do not meet our budgetary goals, it can be removed at any given time. They submit receipts to us to show what was spent. We also talked about going to a credit account, where we kept a separate spreadsheet with each teacher name and their balance - starting out at 150.00 per teacher. Each time they submitted a receipt, then they would be reimbursed the amount immediately. This way if they need it they will spend it, if not, it would roll over until the next year in the event they would like to save up for a larger priced item. Most of the teachers purchase a goody bag for the kids to draw from when they meet their educational goals, i.e. reading 100 books, etc. We also give one new book to each teacher's room at the beginning of the year. It is a "Welcome Back" gift that they seem to really appreciate. Our teachers requests are very small - new coffee pot or microwave. So we don't have alot of trouble. However, we are consistently sending them thankyous, providing goodies in the lounge, etc.
Our group does what CC mentions...all teacher's requests are submitted in writing, reviewed by the PTO Board and the Principal. If we all agree it is something to pursue, we do. If not, we explain to the staff our reasoning why it's not feasible.
If your teachers continue to persist at the meetings maybe you could schedule a separate meeting with your board, them and maybe the principal too. They can explain their side, you can explain yours and put the issue to rest, one way or another...
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller
Please check into adoptaclassroom.com. This is a wonderful program that you can use in the classroom to get your teachers money. Last year we had 50 percent of our classrooms adopted and that was an additional 8,000 dollars to teachers without a penny coming from the PTO pocket. It takes a little coordination...but almost every parent is happy to contribute 18 dollars to their teachers "Christmas Gift" and this is a terrific one. Go to the website and check it out. It is very worth your time!!!
It isn't unusual for parent groups to allocate funds for teachers. And whether or not $300 is a lot of money depends on your school. My last group allocated $100 per teacher and $50 per aid. They had to turn receipts in for reimbursement and items had to be for the classroom. As long as it was for the classroom we trusted them to use their own discretion.
While I can't say for sure if your teachers are making a resonable request, the way they're asking for it is unreasonable. If they turn up at another meeting be sure to stick to the agenda and don't allow the subject to come up again. If they do attempt to broach the subject simply announce that their request has been heard and that there is no reply at this time. Then thank them for attending and move on to the next agenda item.
As for how teachers should approach the PTO, that again depends on the individual schools. My team had teacher reps on the board and all requests usually went though them, except for the occassional written request or specific agenda item. Other schools require teacher requests to go through the Principal first. It might be a good idea for your team to establish a policy and communicate it to the staff.
We are having some problems with some of our teachers. We have a small group of teachers (3 or 4) who have come to each meeting we have had this year requesting that the PTO give each teacher $300.00 to purchase needed items that they school doesn't cover. Here's the problem, I asked other teachers and they stated that they had all materials they needed to teach. They said it might be nice if they had items to decorate their classrooms but all teaching materials are provided. The same group of teachers come to our meetings and all that gets accomplished is fighting. Does anyone have any ideas and do other PTO organizations give each teacher in their building money to cover decorating expenses?
