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