PTA being dictated to by Governors

[carolbfd74]

Just a thought: does anyone know how much the school Governors are allowed to dictate exactly HOW the PTA are allowed to fundraise for the school? e.g. events allowed, sale of alcohol, prizes offered etc.? Just curious how much the Governors can "interfere"? Especially if a lot of them don't have children at the school.....? curious as to answers. x

I think, mrz, your drip feeding of info is the problem! We can only go on the info you provide! What budget did pay for the costs incurred then? You siad the school paid. What other budget do they have if not provided by the LA?

Normally a PTA is holding funds that have yet to be paid over to the school. This bank account pays for supplies and orders placed. If they have not made any money, the PTA, as a Charity and a separate entitiy to the school, is still liable for costs. If they make so little money, then I would smell a big rat in them trying to get someone else (who exactly?) to pay for the items. Unfortunately slapdash all round! It is the children who lost out in the end.

I didn't intend to provide any additional information and foolishly responded to posters assumptions my mistake. I apologise
Facts are new committee organised free event for parents and children. They wrongly assumed such things were paid for by the school.

Ok. Thank you mrz. Now perfectly clear! However, school money unfortunately means the children went without something because probably a huge proportion of the school budget is already "spent" on unavoidable expenses such as wages, heating etc. and in schools where the PTA is unable to raise much in the way of funds, £800 would have been a massive blow. Seems odd that no-one knew how to run a PTA on te Committee!

Obviously not clear as you still appear confused.

At the end of the day, PTAs can seem to be linked to a school because communications often go out via the school. These people clearly thought it would be good to raise the profile of the PTA and get more involvement from parents by putting on a BBQ.

They asked the school for permission and this is probably where the miscommunication came about. The school said 'yes' to putting on a BBQ, but they were saying yes to the use of the grounds and facilities. Meanwhile, the new volunteers thought the school were saying yes to providing the materials needed to run the BBQ.

It's unfortunate, but if the school insisted that the PTA funded the BBQ to the tune of £800, it would likely dissolve, then the school doesn't get any money at all.

Our PTA raises shed loads of money (£12k since sept). Governors have been putting pressure on us to raise more which I find abit off tbh.

I resent some jumped up newbie governor telling me to raise more cash and holding me to account if I don't! I am a volunteer and a humble PTA supporter very far down the food chain. I do what I can balancing work and family commitments and don't expect to have to justify myself to governors. Issue is I personally raised £10k last year they need me to do that again but I probably can't.

And its also harder to fundraise if the school is in a disadvantaged area which I assume must be the case. Our PTA raises about 7k a year with 250ish pupils but we dont have free events as the school needs help with funding extras.

In terms of PTA dissolving that wouldn't be a massive issue because a different group of people could set up a new one. The biggest issue is local bad feeling and the resulting reflection on the school and its reputation. Its interesting stuff (although I'm not sure those closely involved in the situation would agree) in relation to what happens when things go wrong. A couple of people on each side make assumptions and . As the saying goes assume makes an ass out of u and me....

Kerala if there is pressure because they need the money that is wrong. Schools should pay for the basics to keep the school running from their EFA funding. This isn't always the case though, ours under the old had used to pay for some really bizarre stuff the new head was

You seem confused too Tobysmum nobody has been made an ass of....

Kerala, that is totally out of order and the GB need to consider their own duties and responsibilities. That is not to demand more from their PTA but to effectively manage the school budget that they have been given. That in the next few years is going to mean doing more with less and probably thinking carefully about the staffing in the school.

Well other than everyone in the situation ...... cant see how anyone can put any other spin on the PTA spending 800 quid that they didn't have. Not trying to cause an argument but it's utterly staggering. If I was the HT or one of the Trustees I would feel like an utter ass and would feel personally accountable for the error.

The funds raised by the PTA are absolutely nothing to do with the Governors!!! It is not part of the school's budget, therefore not the responsibility of the Governors.

It astounds me how some schools run their affairs. Kerala1, you are perfectly within your rights to say it is none of their business - literally. There should be no pressure from the Governors at all because the school's budget and the PTA funds are copletely separate entities. So many schools get into bad habits and appear to act in an unprofessional way with the PTA.

If a school is facing budget cuts, the Governors have to work out how they will make savings but putting pressure on the PTA is very unfair. It is almost certainly written in your Terms of Reference that you fund-raise for "extas" not to replace missing elements of the school budget. If the Governors have to make difficult choices, so be it. That is their role. It is not necessary for you to do personal fund-raising for the school so just do what you feel comfortable with.

Very indughtful ...of course those responsible felt stupid and guilty for what occurred.