ByLaws
Wadsworth Elementary PTO Bylaws
Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary
Flagler County School District
4550 Belle Terre Pkwy
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) By-Laws
Article 1: Name
Section 1.
The name of the organization is Lewis E. Wadsworth Elementary School-Parent Teacher Organization, officially referred herein and signed as WES-PTO.
Article 2. Purpose
Section 1. The purpose of this organization is to…
a. Encourage parents to assist with various school activities/functions/services.
b. Provide financial assistance to grade levels for field trips and other activities benefitting WES students.
c. Foster a community atmosphere.
d. Support the mission and vision of the school and school district.
Article 3: Membership
Any parent, guardian, or other adult standing in loco parentis for a student at the school may be a member. The principal and any employed staff member whose home school is Wadsworth Elementary may be a member. Community members with interests benefitting WES students may be members. All members must register each school or when newly enrolled to be considered a registered member, which affords that member voting privileges.
Article 4: General Policies
Section 1 The following are basic policies of WES-PTO:
a. The WES-PTO name or names of any members in their official capacities shall not be connected to any commercial concern, any partisan interest, or for any purpose not directly related to the promotion of WES-PTO’s interests.
b. The WES-PTO is a non-commercial, non-sectarian, non-partisan organization.
c. The WES-PTO shall work with the school to provide quality education for all children, and shall seek to support the mission and vision of the school, recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the people of the board of education and must follow school board policies and include Florida Red Book procedures.
d. The WES-PTO shall not in any way participate or intervene in any political campaign. The WES-PTO may, however, seek to educate people concerning school issues, such as school bond issues and similar concerns.
e. The WES PTO officers shall work with the principal to plan and set dates for WES-PTO programs and meetings. All proposed fundraiser activities shall be submitted to the WES principal for submission for approval prior to undertaking any activity for such fundraiser. The principal, when necessary, shall present a fundraising request to whoever is in charge of such approvals and report to the membership of the PTO the official reply to each request.
f. The WES-PTO shall make no commitments on behalf of the WES-PTO unless specifically designated by the WES-PTO Executive Board.
g. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any activities not in compliance with federal nonprofit corporation laws.
h. Upon dissolution of this organization and after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the organization, the remaining assets are to be distributed to one or more nonprofit funds, foundations, or organizations that have established their tax-exempt status under state and federal tax laws. To be determined by the Executive Board upon dissolution.
Article 5: Officers
Section 1
The Executive Board will consist of the following:
President
Vice-President(s) The Executive Board will determine the number, up to 3, each school year
Secretary
Treasurer
Principal
Section 2
Elected officers and their duties:
a. President: Shall preside over meetings of the WES-PTO and Executive Board, serve as the primary contact for the principal, prepare the agenda and represent the organization at meetings outside the organization. Will also serve as an ex officio member of all committees and coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served. Perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned by the organization.
b. Vice-President(s): Shall act as an aide to the president. Performs the duties of the president in his/her absence.
c. Secretary: Records the minutes of the meetings. Takes and keeps a roster of all members and voting members attending each WES-PTO meeting. Disperses the minutes to all members. Maintains current and past records for seven (7) years.
d. Treasurer: Maintains a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures, and any disbursements as authorized by the President, Executive Board or WES-PTO. All checks will be signed by two designated people. Presents a financial statement at every board meeting of the WES-PTO and at other times when requested by the Executive Board.
Article 6: Elections
Section 1. Officers
The officers shall be a president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. The current principal will automatically be part of the Executive Board of the WES-PTO.
a. An election will be held yearly to select the Executive Board of the WES-PTO.
b. Each spring the WES-PTO president will call for nominations for upcoming open positions on the Executive Board.
c. Each office shall be elected by ballot. However, if there is but one nominee for any office, the election for that office may be by voice vote.
Section 2. Assuming Duties Following Elections
a. Officers elected shall assume their official duties following the close of the year’s final meeting and shall serve for a term of one year.
b. Outgoing officers will meet with newly elected officers to discuss the responsibilities of the office and turn over any records and/or pertinent information regarding the position and/or organization.
c. A vacancy occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a person elected by a majority vote of the Executive Board, notice of such election having been given to the general assembly. In case a vacancy occurs in the office of President, the Vice-President shall serve in this position until the next election.
Article 7. Finances
Section 1.
All funds raised by the WES-PTO shall be placed in the WES-PTO account only.
a. All funds including cash shall be deposited into the designated account.
Section 2.
Any check written from the WES-PTO account must have supporting documentation such as receipts when requesting reimbursement. Failure to supply this documentation may result in denial of reimbursement.
Section 3.
An amount of money will be left in the treasury at the end of each year to cover any unpaid bills and obligations as a reserve amount of at least $500 to begin the next school year. This may be re-evaluated at an Executive Board meeting.
Section 4.
The WES-PTO is a state tax-exempt organization and a not for profit. The school district and the schools hold this classification which includes WES-PTO.
Article 8. Meetings
Section 1.
The regular meeting of the WES-PTO will be held a minimum of 4 times during the school year at a time and place determined by the Executive Board.
Section 2.
Special meetings may be called by the president, any two members of the Executive Board, or five voting members submitting a written request to the secretary.
Section 3.
All items to be discussed at the meetings will be presented as an agenda item.
Section 4.
The Executive Board is encouraged to conduct meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 5
A majority vote by the attending members shall be required to take action on items presented at general meetings.
Section 6
Meetings may be held virtually if it is not possible to hold in person meetings
Article 9. Amendments
Section 1.
These bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting, providing that previous notice was given at the prior meeting. Amendments will be approved by a majority vote by the attending members.