Crossnore Elementary School
PTO By-Laws
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be the Crossnore Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization or Crossnore Elementary PTO.
Article II: Objectives
The Crossnore Elementary PTO will promote communication between teachers, parents, and community. Additionally, the PTO will encourage a positive, supportive atmosphere to enhance students’ educational and extracurricular experiences. The PTO will also work to incorporate the talents and resources of parents to enhance the efforts of teaching staff.
Article III: Scope
The Crossnore Elementary PTO will engage in the following services; social and academic activities, communication, and fundraising. Financial support will be provided to support teachers and student programs not covered by the Avery County School District. The PTO will encourage parent, teacher, and community involvement and cooperate with school administration to enhance educational opportunities. Areas of concern will be brought to the attention of the principal.
Article IV: Policies
The program of this organization is educational, and it shall be developed through conferences, committees, and projects. The PTO is non-commercial, non-sectarian, and non-partisan. The PTO shall not attempt to direct the administrative work or the policies of the school.
In the event of the dissolution of the Crossnore Elementary PTO, due to the school closing or grade reorganizing, the net monetary assets of the PTO will be distributed to the Parent Teacher Organization where the majority of students are assigned.
The Crossnore Elementary PTO may cooperate with all other organizations within the Avery County School District with similar interests.
Special monetary requests for non-budgeted items must be submitted to the Crossnore Elementary PTO Officers for discussion. A vote for approval of the request will be made by the Officers as soon as possible depending on urgency of the request.
If a specific long-term goal has been approved, additional funds may be carried over to the next school year.
Reimbursements for all expenses will be made only after receipts for expenditures have been given to the PTO Treasurer. Receipts must be submitted within 30 days. Requests made without paper receipts will not be processed for reimbursement.
Article V: Membership
Crossnore Elementary PTO membership will be open to teachers, parents or guardians of students, and staff of Crossnore Elementary School who agrees to uphold the policies of the PTO.
PTO meetings will be held at least four times annually for the transaction of business. The exact dates of such meetings shall be specified by the PTO Officers. Written notice of all meetings shall be issued to the staff of Crossnore Elementary and to all students to be delivered to the parents. PTO Officers will meet on an as needed basis between regularly scheduled meetings.
Article VI: Officers
The Officers of this organization shall be elected annually during the last general meeting of the year.
Officers shall assume their official duties at the close of the school term and shall serve for a term of one year.
An Officer must have a child currently enrolled in Crossnore Elementary School or must be a member of the staff.
No Officer shall serve for more than 3 consecutive terms in the same position.
PTO Officers will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The position of Secretary and Treasurer may be combined if needed.
In addition to Officers, there will be one teacher liaison position. The PTO Officers and the Crossnore Elementary School Principal will appoint this position.
Article VII: Election of Officers
An election ballot will be developed to include nominations for each position.
Nominations for Officers will be taken approximately three to four weeks prior to the last general meeting of the year. Persons who are nominated will be contacted to ask their
permission to be placed on the ballot for election. Only those persons who have consented to serve shall be placed on the ballot. Nominations may be made during the meeting from the floor and added to the ballot.
Voting will be done by a secret ballot.
In the case of a tie, the Crossnore Elementary PTO Officers will cast the deciding vote.
A vacancy occurring in an office shall be filled by a vote of a majority of the PTO Officers with the consent of the nominee. In case of a vacancy in the office of President, the Vice President shall assume that role.
Article VIII: Duties of Officers
The President shall preside at all meetings of the PTO and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these By-Laws or assigned by the PTO and shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees in order that the objectives may be promoted.
Vice President shall assist in all presidential duties and shall assume duties of the President when the President is absent or unable to serve.
The Secretary shall keep permanent and accurate records of all meetings and shall conduct all correspondence as requested by the President. The Secretary will also perform other duties that may be delegated by the other PTO Officers.
The Treasurer will handle all funds of the Crossnore Elementary PTO and will give a financial report of the collections and expenditures at each general meeting. The Treasurer will also maintain an accurate account of all receipts, disbursements, and other pertinent financial information. The Treasurer will file required tax forms by the end of the fiscal year, make all deposits and write out checks for expenditures. Checks over the amount of $250 must have the signature of the Treasurer and another PTO Officer. An Audit Committee consisting of three Crossnore Elementary School PTO members may conduct an audit of the financial transactions. Once satisfied that the report is accurate, the committee will sign a statement at the end of the report certifying its correctness.
The Crossnore Elementary School PTO Officers will submit a tentative allocation of funds (budget) to the members of the PTO for approval at the first general meeting for the new school year.
The Teacher Liaison shall attend or send a representative to all general PTO meetings, act as advisor and liaison between staff and the PTO organization, help maintain open lines of communication between parents and teachers, help coordinate PTO sponsored activities,
report on current Teacher activities within Crossnore Elementary School, report to teachers on PTO activities and coordinate budget requests by school personnel for consideration by the PTO.
Article IX: Amendments
The by-laws may be amended or changed by a vote of the majority present at any general meeting of the Crossnore Elementary PTO. The amendment must be submitted in writing to the general membership prior to the vote and presented at a previous general meeting.
*Implemented: August 2007