PTO Bylaws

Bylaws

McKinley Elementary School

Parent-Teacher Organization

Joplin, MO

Article I: Name

The name of this organization is the McKinley Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), Joplin, MO.

Article II: Purpose

This organization shall exist to support educational activities and support staff needs within the Joplin School District. 

Article III: Mission

To promote positive communication between PTO members, school faculty, guardians, students and invited community members, in an effort to enhance the educational experience and foster pride within our district.

Article IV: Membership

All guardians and families of current McKinley Elementary School students are eligible for membership.  Members will complete a volunteer form and have a background check, if required by the district, and have voting privileges after attending one PTO meeting.  School staff are encouraged to be active within the organization.

Section 1.  Expectations

Members will display positive attitudes, be supportive of fellow members, and be willing to volunteer in varying capacities within this organization.  Members not displaying a positive attitude shall be held accountable for their actions “up to” being excused from the PTO organization. 

1. Verbal warning from President or school Principal

2. Written warning from President or school Principal

3. Special closed session with the Executive Officers and school Principal to discuss removal of member

Article V: Executive Officer Election

Section 1.  General Election

Executive Officers are to be elected at the May meeting of the current school year.  Each officer will serve a one-year term from the time of election.  Guardians of current McKinley Elementary School students are eligible to hold an Executive Officer position. 

Section 2.  Special Election

Should an Executive Officer be unable to execute their position for a period of two consecutive months, a special election will be held to fill the vacancy.  

Article VI: Executive Officers and Their Duties 

Section 1.  President

1. Oversee the general function of the organization

2. Act as liaison between PTO and school staff

3. Prepare an agenda for each meeting

4. Conduct meetings, using Robert’s Rules of Order

5. Maintain the PTO Events Binder by keeping blank copies of Event Expense Forms; giving one to each event chairperson to fill out before/after the event, collecting completed forms after events are finished and giving to treasurer

6. Act as liaison for Scholastic Book Fairs along with the school librarian

7. Act as chairperson for PTO fundraisers as needed

8. Assist all Executive Officers with their duties as needed

9. Coordinate school staff luncheons/suppers for parent-teacher conference, Christmas, and teacher appreciation week along with chairperson 

10. Will assist the Treasurer in the duties of the Treasurer and will have banking privileges

11. Display neutrality and objectivity toward ideas brought by members, in order to foster and encourage open, respectful conversation and discussion amongst the group

12. Cast deciding vote in the event of a tie.

Section 2.  Vice-President

a.  In the event that the President is unable to perform their duties, will    

     assume the duties of the President

b.  Maintaining and updating the bulletin boards in the school entryway with current information on how to communicate with PTO, fundraising trackers, important dates, and any other pertinent information; will keep up with calendar and due dates of any kind with the help of the Secretary

c.  Oversee the Box Tops for Education rewards program and pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House with the help of 5th grade

d. Responsible for sponsorship program,  donations for auctions/carnival, volunteers and guiding a chairperson to assist in volunteers for events

e. Will know bylaws roles for each section to help with any questions on the laws.

Section 3.  Secretary 

a.  Take accurate minutes of all PTO meetings

b.  E-mail minutes from previous meetings to the PTO contact list within a week following mtg.

c.  Maintain PTO contact list within the PTO email account

d.  Update and post to all PTO social media accounts as needed

e.  Record attendance at each PTO meeting

f.   Bring a typed copy of the last meeting’s minutes to each meeting for 

     approval

g.  Maintain the Secretary Binder, which contains meeting minutes from the past 

     and current school year; bring to each PTO meeting for reference as needed

h.  Create flyers and/or graphics pertaining to PTO activities.

Section 4.  Treasurer

a.  In the event that the Secretary is unable to perform their duties, will assume 

                   the duties of the Secretary

b.  Have a valid state ID and social security card (for banking purposes)

c.   Prepare and keep records of all IRS documents

d.  Keep records using an event planning form to keep with all receipts for each event/spending

e.  Create and submit an itemized balance sheet (month/year) at each PTO meeting

f.  Be responsible for all outstanding payments as are decided by the PTO body or 

      committees

g.  All cash/check/monies should be counted by the Treasurer and one other board member, all monies should be deposited into the bank account within two business days of the event. 

h.   Ensure that the checkbook is present at all PTO functions

i.  Create a budget for each school year to be presented for approval at the first 

     PTO meeting of the school year

j.  Maintain the Treasurer Binder, keeping a minimum of 5 years of past/current 

     financial records

k.   Create and submit an annual financial report at the end of our fiscal year (July-

     June).

m.  Coordinate classroom room parents

Section 5.  Staff Liaison

a.  Act as liaison between PTO and school administration

b.  Maintain the PTO Google Doc for school staff to access; including event sign-ups

d.  Present a summary of school happenings at monthly PTO meetings, and 

     alternatively, present PTO happenings at school staff meetings

e.  Assist the Treasurer in assigning classroom room parents if needed

f.   Design and distribute class party flyers to the school body.

Article VII:  Executive Officer Term Limits

Executive Officers shall serve a limit of 3 consecutive years in their respective elected position.  Should the position remain vacant at the conclusion of the General Election, the incumbent may opt to serve an additional one-year term.  

Article VIII: Voting and Conduct

Robert’s Rule of Order shall be used for the following situations:

1. Conduction of meetings

2. Approval of meeting minutes

3. Faculty monetary requests

4. Funding for organization special events

In the event that a monetary decision needs to be made prior to the next general PTO meeting, the Executive Officers have the authority to decide on behalf of the organization.  These actions will then be recounted at the next meeting and included in the Treasurer’s report.

Article IX: Committees

Committees will be formed for special events or purchases, and only the final proposal will be brought before members for voting.  By the end of the event, the committee chair will fill out and submit an Event Expense Form to the President to be put in the Events Binder. 

Article X: Revision

The Bylaws will be reviewed and revised by the executive officers every 2-3 years and as needed. The revised Bylaws will be voted upon by the general members for acceptance.

Article XI: Dissolution

In the event of the organization disbanding, following the payments of all outstanding balances, its assets will be turned over to the executive board who will vote on how to allocate remaining assets and will be distributed in a way that is most beneficial to the school.

Adopted October 2023