[MurrayMatters] PTO Meeting

[Susan Weiner]

    Dear Parents,
           Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting last night to  discuss the PTO tax options.   We  were joined by a special guest, Randy Jones,  a CPA from Robinson Farmer Cox Associates, who specializes in non-profit  organizations and serves the county and Jackson Zimmerman.  Michael Weiner, Co-Treasurer, made a thorough  power point presentation explaining all of the research and reasoning behind  the Executive Committee’s decision to recommend that the PTO become an  Unincorporated 501(c )(3) tax exempt organization in order to come into  compliance with IRS regulations.  
           The presentation was well received.  There were a few questions, primarily  centered around the Executive Committee’s decision not to recommend that the  PTO become an Incorporated 501(c )(3) tax exempt entity.  This decision was made based on guidance  provided by Mr. Grider.  He met with a  representative from County Fiscal Services and an agent from the county’s  insurance company.  Together they made  the determination that PTO officers could become more, rather than less,  vulnerable in the event of a lawsuit.   This is because the PTO’s insurance, rather than the county’s insurance,  would become primary if the PTO incorporated.     The officers on the Executive Committee are deferring to Mr. Grider in  this matter. 
           This discussion highlighted the fact that the PTO needs to  make sure that all activities fall within county guidelines (e.g. helmets at  skating parties and no offsite events) to make sure that volunteers are  properly insured.  Also, the PTO may  still want to consider an insurance policy to cover goods purchased, like the  $20,000 in wrapping that we buy at the fall fundraiser, since these items would  not be covered under the county policy in the event of say, a leaky roof. 
           As a reminder, ballots for the Tax Resolution are due to the  office by April 11th.  
           In other matters, parents will soon receive a draft of the new  Bylaws.  The Bylaws Committee has spent  countless hours discussing every item in this draft, and we look forward to disseminating  it to parents for approval in the not too distant future.  The election of new officers is also just  around the corner.  If you are interested  in being an officer next year, please contact Francesca Diggs at 295-7482.  
           Important Dates:
           April 18th:   next PTO meeting
      April 21st:   Community Day (formerly School Pride  Day).  Thank you to Gail Hoerr  for volunteering to organize refreshments for  participants.  
      April 23rd 1:00-5:00pm:   Landscaping Day.  Thank you to Ewa Setaro for organizing this.
      May 7th:   Skating Party.  Thank you to  Jennifer Kochard and Ann Claiborne Dandridge for co-chairing this event.
      May 16th:   May PTO meeting.  
           Please contact the chairpersons listed above if you would  like to volunteer at any of these events.   
       In other news, Jane Kulow recently organized the Track Club for the PTO.   In the fall, she is planning a more extensive list of after school enrichment activities.  Thank you, Jane, for undertaking this effort.  Also, the teachers thanked the PTO and Lynn Diduch for organizing a lovely display of fruit, cheese and crackers, and desserts that were provided for teachers on Teacher Conference Day.  Thanks as well to Jennifer Kochard for organizing the Original Art Fundraiser.  It was a big success.  Lastly,  Field Day in June will be here before we know it and I hear nothing but  good things about the great job that Diana Garner and Debbie Funk are  doing organizing it.  
           
      Happy spring!  
              Susan Weiner
  PTO President
    
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