Status of PTA Funds

Funds raised by the PTA (or other parent group) within the school and held in their bank account/s belong to them until they choose to donate the money to the school. The Board of Trustees cannot demand money from the PTA and cannot decide how money that belongs to the PTA should be spent. This has been made clear in letters from several Ministers of Education which NZPTA has received. The latest of these letters is shown below.

As the letter explains, the Board of Trustees has ownership and control of funds raised by activities organised by the Board of Trustees.

NZPTA would like to make it clear that while PTAs retain control of their funds, this does NOT mean that PTAs can spend the money on whatever they wish for the school. The Board of Trustees has the right to decline a donation from the PTA if they feel that it is not in the best interests of the school.

Because both the PTA and the BOT have some say in how PTA funds can be spent within the school, there is the potential for tension between the two groups. At these times it is necessary to be aware that each group has an equal right to decide what happens to the money. The PTA committee does not have to donate money for something that it does not agree with, and the BOT does not have to accept a donation for something that it does not agree with. If both groups cannot reach a compromise, then it will be the children who miss out.

When there is disagreement over how PTA funds should be used in the school, NZPTA suggests that both the PTA and BOT should look to the school's charter for guidance. The strategic goals for the school will have been decided in consultation with the whole school community. If what the PTA is suggesting will help move the school towards one of it's strategic goals, then the BOT should seriously consider accepting the donation, even if it may not be at the top of the list of priorities for the Board. Likewise, if the BOT requests a donation from the PTA for something that has been identified as a priority in the strategic plan AND it is not able to be funded by operational funding from the government, then the PTA should seriously consider making a donation to the school for that purpose. The rules/rights for who can decide what will never provide a black and white solution. Goodwill, cooperation and some 'give and take' on both sides will always be needed in the relationship between the PTA and the Board of Trustees.

NZPTA believes that PTA funds should always be considered as the 'icing on the top'. In times when operational funding from the government may not be sufficient to cover all the expenses, it is tempting to ask the PTA or parents to make up the difference by donating money to the school. While they may be prepared to do this, it should not be expected. PTAs are more than just fundraisers, and they need to be valued for their role in improving the link between home and school which leads to better educational outcomes for our children and strong, supportive school communities.