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School PTO question (ethics/standards)
Posted on 2/13/18 at 8:49 am
Posted on 2/13/18 at 8:49 am
I'm a CPA but have no experience with non-profits or PTO organizations. One of my co-workers has asked a few questions in recent months regarding his wife's PTO. Many of the questions stem from the Principal having a dictator-type personality and feeling that she should have final say in the PTO's allocation of funds. Whereas the PTO Board feels that they should have final authority.
One example is that the school receives funds from the school district for free tutoring of the students. Since these funds are not quite enough to cover the full cost, the PTO provides another 20k annually. The Principal 'let it slip' last year that they had a lot left over and reallocated the PTO portion to other needs. The PTO requested that receipts or a reconciliation of that 20k be prepared so that they could take into consideration when preparing the budget for this year. The Principal initially offered to provide the receipts but then later claimed she didn't think it should be necessary to get the full 20k for this year. Should it be required or is that something that the PTO Board should decide for themselves?
One example is that the school receives funds from the school district for free tutoring of the students. Since these funds are not quite enough to cover the full cost, the PTO provides another 20k annually. The Principal 'let it slip' last year that they had a lot left over and reallocated the PTO portion to other needs. The PTO requested that receipts or a reconciliation of that 20k be prepared so that they could take into consideration when preparing the budget for this year. The Principal initially offered to provide the receipts but then later claimed she didn't think it should be necessary to get the full 20k for this year. Should it be required or is that something that the PTO Board should decide for themselves?
6
Posted on 2/13/18 at 8:59 am to litenin
Board should have final say on its own financial matters. Principal should maybe have a spot on the board, but should only be one voice and should probably abstain from voting on matters where there may be a conflict of interest.
The PTO also has every right to ask for an accounting of funds they gave the school. It should have been spelled out in any agreement to give the money to the school.
The PTO also has every right to ask for an accounting of funds they gave the school. It should have been spelled out in any agreement to give the money to the school.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 9:02 am to litenin
It's the PTO's money. They should be able to stipulate whatever conditions they see fit. If the principal doesn't like the terms he/she can not take the money (they won't not take it). Only way this can be resolved is the PTO actually going through with threats to withhold money if their requirements aren't met. That's not an unreasonable request.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 9:07 am to The Spleen
Yeah isn't a PTO and Principal relationship essentially that of a CEO and Board of Trustees?
The PTO should be able to put vote the principal and force their hand.
The PTO should be able to put vote the principal and force their hand.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 9:45 am to litenin
This should be spelled out in the PTO charter and bylaws. When a nonprofit is set-up this is the binding agreement that all parties must live by.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 12:51 pm to SEC. 593
Sounds like the PTO needs to find a stay at home momma who wears boots and appoint her chair woman of the board. Tell her to go wear the principal's arse out.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 2:54 pm to litenin
It depends. But do you know if the PTO has a separate 501c3? In any case they could do a public records request if they wanted to really go through the trouble. But on another note In my experience the principal probably doesn't have a clue how much money was or was not spent. Most have little understanding if any on how the finances really work. I would recommend having the PTO making the expenses for tutoring reimbursable instead of a lump donation.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 9:08 pm to litenin
Any chance this is Katy ISD?
Some of the PTOs out there are like small businesses.
Anywho, the Principal needs the PTO for additional funding and support, and the PTO needs the Principal for access to the school, etc. Ideally there would be a good relationship.
The PTO should have the right to distribute the funds in whatever way they wish... and the principal can decide whether or not to accept those conditions. If the principal is diverting those funds for other purposes, it's probably an ethical violation as long as they are still being used for the school. If they are being taken for personal use, obviously that's a criminal issue.
I've always felt it's better for PTO-type groups to buy things for the school (i.e. books, gym equipmnent, etc) and donate the hard asset to the school, as opposed to just giving the principal money. Most principals are gifted educators, and not exactly good businessmen and businesswomen.
If it's a big enough district, the district office may have someone who works with PTO clubs, or there may be an association of PTO clubs that can help.
Some of the PTOs out there are like small businesses.
Anywho, the Principal needs the PTO for additional funding and support, and the PTO needs the Principal for access to the school, etc. Ideally there would be a good relationship.
The PTO should have the right to distribute the funds in whatever way they wish... and the principal can decide whether or not to accept those conditions. If the principal is diverting those funds for other purposes, it's probably an ethical violation as long as they are still being used for the school. If they are being taken for personal use, obviously that's a criminal issue.
I've always felt it's better for PTO-type groups to buy things for the school (i.e. books, gym equipmnent, etc) and donate the hard asset to the school, as opposed to just giving the principal money. Most principals are gifted educators, and not exactly good businessmen and businesswomen.
If it's a big enough district, the district office may have someone who works with PTO clubs, or there may be an association of PTO clubs that can help.
Posted on 2/13/18 at 10:33 pm to litenin
In addition to the PTO's bylaws spelling this out, the PTO and the school need a Uniform Affiliation Agreement between the non-profit org raising money for the school, and the school itself.
These are very common with single-source fundraising units that are separate from the entity they are raising funds for.
These are very common with single-source fundraising units that are separate from the entity they are raising funds for.
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