Donating PTA Funds

[Calonlan]

I'm trying to find out if other PTAs give funds raised to schools without agreeing upfront what monies will be spent on. Traditionally our PTA has done this, and although school always informs parents what was bought, it has not involved PTA in decision.

We have stated that in future the PTA wish to agree purpose of donation before handing over the money.

Both NCPTA and SPTC websites (Vgood sites for PTA advice)agree that PTAs should be involved in decision so we are comfortable with our stance. However Head is adamant that other schools just hand over the cash! Is Head right?

Your head is AFAIK not right. the PTA raise funds for school extras that have been agreed at a meeting. It is PTA's money to give not the heads to take.

Similar starting happening with our PTA. We at the last meeting have said that we don't mind fund raising but could we please have a proper scheme so that everyone including the parents knows that we are saving for XXX. rather than it being a bottomless pit.

At our school the Head asks us (she attends the PTA meetings) and we decide yay or nay.

WE have asked for a wish list for this year so we know the kind of things the school are after. Just agreed to pay for a shed for the new gardening club.

Your head is wrong, assuming yours is a registered charity...
The PTA must minute and vote on how the funds are spent or risk violating Charity Commission rules. If the money was raised from parents for a specific purpose you may even be expected to consult more widely (with the parents) on whether to spend the money on a different project. Head cannot just demand the dosh (!!)

Our PTA (now becoming a Parent Council following the changes in Scotland) decides what is will spend the money on in conjunction with the school - but it is still our decision. We don't hand over any money direct to the school.

Your head is not right. Our PTA ask the head/staff what they might need but on the whole make the final decision.

Yes, the Head is wrong - it is standard practice (don't know about the actual legalities, or whether it's just a custom) that PTAs are at least involved in the decisions re where the money is spent. Our PTA has only ever agreed to a school suggestion, but the Head at least consults us.

Our head asks us if we are happy with money going to whatever she has in mind. Of course usually it's a formality, it's unlikely we would turn round and say no, but it still shows courtesy and an appreciation of the work we're doing.

Sometimes we also have individual members of staff or departments come to us asking for money. Usually that is for relatively small sums - the reception teachers wanted money for new dolls and accessories once, so we had a small one-off event and gave them the proceeds.

Parents like to know what money is going towards, it feels more real that way rather than the money just disappearing somewhere, but it must be after consultation between school and PTA.

Thanks to you all. We will hold the line .... Really appreciate you confirming our decision is in line with other schools.

We would tend to agree to what they wanted anyway, but our feeling is like yours, we just wanted to be consulted either through wishlist from teachers or a couple of priority issues for the whole school. Thanks also for reminding us of parents, we are also considering formally asking through survey or consultation letter, rather than relying on the hardy souls that brave the autumn winds to attend our AGM.

To lljkk, we are in the process of becoming registered charity - we don't raise a huge amount, (on the edge of the income threshold)and waited to see if they would raise threshold. Have decided to become registered anyway, as we have started huge fundraising drive !!

Ours gets the cash whipped off us the moment our stalls close at the Christmas/summer fairs and that is the last we see of it. The head counts it up while the rest of us pack up, clear up, sweep up, tidy up and get fed up.

I resigned after last year's Christmas Fair when two of us mums (out of a school of 480 children) were the only ones who cleared up the entire hall at the end. no sign of the teachers, TAs or the head. They scarpered.