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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

school funds

35 replies

cannydoit · 04/05/2011 13:38

i went to the local paper after finding out that my childrens head teacher is using school funds to fund her 60th birthday party to the tune of 1,500. mildly nervous about it now wondering if i did the right thing though i feel its a total travesty as they are merging classes and claiming lack of funding for one to one children with special needs. wondering if it was an extreme move on my part.aibu?

OP posts:
GypsyMoth · 04/05/2011 13:39

how did you find solid proof?

what has happened to her?

oneofthosedays · 04/05/2011 13:40

Are you sure she's definately using this money for her 60th?

compo · 04/05/2011 13:40

Did you give your real name?
Do you know for sure that's what she's doing?

GloriaSmut · 04/05/2011 13:41

I may work in the media but I generally discourage running to the papers as the method of dealing with serious matters that should be taken up with the correct channels first. So I hope your accusations are correct.

Original poster
cannydoit · 04/05/2011 13:42

former teacher still friends at the school other teachers are boycotting the party as they think its disgusting. nothing yet as the news paper only just got back to me and said they were interested. hence my quandary.

OP posts:
Danthe4th · 04/05/2011 13:44

Are you totally sure of the facts? Funding of special needs children with statements doesn't come out of the school budget the school gets extra funding. Not sure I would go to the papers without proof and before speaking to the governers etc. you must be pretty sure. What are you hoping to achieve?

Original poster
cannydoit · 04/05/2011 13:44

valid point gloria wasnt sure what else to do

OP posts:
ashamedandconfused · 04/05/2011 13:46

really?? I mean would a headteacher really do such a thing and expect no one to know/notice/mind??

GloriaSmut · 04/05/2011 13:46

I think I'd have started by raising the matter with the school governors and if this was impossible, by taking it to the LEA. Assuming this is a state school.

mumtoabeautifulbabyboy · 04/05/2011 13:48

Very odd. This sounds illegal and a criminal matter? (fraud). It also sounds extremely unlikely.
I doubt the paper will print your allegation without some sort of proof so I would't worry too much. If you are correct she deserves to be found out. If you are wrong, it is unlikely to be published.

Danthe4th · 04/05/2011 13:51

So exactly what is she doing with the £1500 then?

Bramshott · 04/05/2011 13:52

So is the party for the children at the school to celebrate the Headteacher's 60th?

Bramshott · 04/05/2011 13:52

And is she also retiring at the end of term?

mumtoabeautifulbabyboy · 04/05/2011 13:56

Bramshott - That would make much more sense! (hopefully it's the case) From what the op posted I had imagined some sort of champagne reception round her house - all on the school budget!

ashamedandconfused · 04/05/2011 13:58

if it IS a "whole school" party to mark the heads birthday/retirement, in school time, how are some teachers going to boycott (sp?) it?

jimswifein1964 · 04/05/2011 14:03

but how would a party cost £1500?

ashamedandconfused · 04/05/2011 14:11

depends on the size of the school jimswife? secondary school could easily be 1500 kids and 100 staff, so £1500 not bad price!

ashamedandconfused · 04/05/2011 14:12

it may also be that the "event" is nominallly for the heads birthday, but would have happened anyway - eg whole school trip to a panto or circus etc??

Original poster
cannydoit · 04/05/2011 15:29

well i pretty certain that the other teacher are pissed off about it given the info that was given to me and i am sure the info was given to me so that i would inform other parents etc.

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 04/05/2011 15:34

I think you've been used as a cat's paw, cannydoit. I hope you're sure of your facts.

Original poster
cannydoit · 04/05/2011 15:35

that was one of the points i raised. it is a private party, she has a limo picking her up somewhere and dropping her of etc. if it is using school funds then it should be an event for the whole school to enjoy.
i also was pretty sure that the newspaper would need to get some concert proof before printing so perhaps should just go with it.

OP posts:
Original poster
cannydoit · 04/05/2011 15:46

cats paw like that, yeah does feel a bit like that.

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 04/05/2011 16:03

cannydoit... It's very manipulative. Why do you think you've been fed the information? Do you think there will be adverse consequences for you?

In your position, I'd ask the journalist to wait, I'd contact a parent-governor and I'd get the background before acting any further.

You seem to have been given an awful lot of information to pass on. I'm just wondering why, if it's a genuine complaint, that the complainants wouldn't follow protocol? Be careful what you repeat because if you don't have the facts and it's just 'hearsay', that's going to do damage. :(

GrungeBlobPrimpants · 04/05/2011 16:11

You've done all this just based on hearsay???? Shock

It could be a legit party for the whole school
It could be using school premises but paid for by head herself
It could be nothing of the kind

As for paying for it - pretty unlikely to have been from existing budget as would have to go through accounts

If PTA funds would have to be org/paid for by them and go through formal accounts.

You've got no evidence whatsoever and you go to the paper???

Groovee · 04/05/2011 16:22

Why have you gone to the paper and not the LA? Surely going through the right protocol would be a much better way of handling this.

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