Mission, Values, and Bylaws

PTO Mission

Updated December 2022

Purpose

The PTO is organized for the purpose of supporting and enhancing the education of children Pre-K through grade 8 of Aurora Frontier P-8 by:

  1. Encouraging communication and supporting relationships between parents, teachers, and administration.
  2. Providing financial support for programs funded outside of the annual school budget.
  3. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). The sole charitable purpose of the organization will be supporting the Aurora Frontier P-8 school through volunteering and fundraising.

Objectives

  1. To provide a common meeting ground for parents, teachers, administrators, and the community.
  2. To provide fundraising support for the school.
  3. To provide various services, determined by the organization, to the school and its students.

Values

Updated December 2022

Accountability-Publish results of goals: pictures of events and purchases, funds raised, impact of events-what people said about an event. Work as a team to accomplish said task/goals and communicate them to the community/teachers. Using the time and funds of our organization responsibly.

Community– PTO should include, inspire, and empower community members and families to get involved in their community and school! Hosting events for community to participate in (both free and fundraising events)

Connection– Consistent flyers, relevant information to teachers re: meetings, events, needs. Be a welcoming committee for new families year-round. Being visible at events and activities facilitated by PTO and/or Frontier.

Making a Difference– Using our fundraising efforts to impact Frontier in meaningful ways, effecting the most students possible. PTO board should be present more often throughout the school year. To encourage, cheer up, and support the staff and model to students the respect and value for the school/community.

Teamwork– Working together to accomplish our goals and purposes. For the community to view the PTO as an organization that is working together with the school to achieve common goals and strengthen the community bond.

Bylaws

Updated December 2022, Approved March 2023

Article 1. Name

The name of this organization shall be “Parent Teacher Organization of Aurora Frontier P-8 School,” to be commonly known as the “PTO”.

Article 2. Tax Status

The Parent Teacher Organization of Aurora Frontier P-8 School shall be a “not for profit” organization, as defined in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Article 3. Purpose

The PTO is organized for the purpose of supporting and enhancing the education of children Pre-K through grade 8 of Aurora Frontier P-8 by:

  1. Encouraging communication and supporting relationships between parents, teachers, and administration.
  2. Providing financial support for programs funded outside of the annual school budget.
  3. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). The sole charitable purpose of the organization will be supporting the Aurora Frontier P-8 school through volunteering and fundraising.

Article 4. Objectives

The objectives of this organization shall be:

  1. To provide a common meeting ground for parents, teachers, administrators, and the community.
  2. To provide fundraising support for the school.
  3. To provide various services, determined by the organization, to the school and its students.

Article 5. Membership

  1. All parents/guardians and teachers of Aurora Frontier P-8 students may choose to become members of this organization.
  2. Any other persons interested in the promotion of the objectives of this organization may become a member by attendance and participation in the organization’s meetings.

Article 6. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this PTO shall be from July 1st through June 30th.

Article 7. Officers

  1. The officers of this organization shall be President(s), a Vice president, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Communications Coordinator, and an Events Coordinator.
  2. Chairperson(s) for each fundraising project and organization-sponsored activity shall organize and supervise their committees during the run of their projects.

Article 8. Election of Officers

  1. The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator, and Events Coordinator shall be elected at the April meeting of the school year for a term of one year; and shall assume their official duties at the conclusion of the meeting. All records and files shall be exchanged at this time.
  2. Candidates for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Coordinator, and Events Coordinator shall be determined by nomination from the membership. Candidates may also volunteer for a position.
  3. Only candidates who have consented to serve, if elected, shall be eligible for nomination.
  4. If there is more than one candidate for a position, a majority vote by the membership in attendance at that meeting shall determine who will fill said position. If there is only one candidate for a position, they must also be confirmed by a majority vote.
  5. Chairpersons for the fundraising projects and organization-sponsored activities shall be determined by members volunteering for the position(s).

Article 9. Duties of Officers

The Executive Board shall consist of the PTO officers and any standing committee chairs.

  1. The President oversees and advises all areas of the PTO; helping to coordinate the work of all the officers and committees so that the purpose of the organization is served. Specifically, the President shall: assist the Treasurer in finalizing the yearly budget; gather and screen fundraising information; provide all official signing/authorization for contracts; create and distribute agenda for monthly PTO meeting; preside over monthly PTO meetings; coordinate with Administration and Staff including: meeting with the Principal monthly to maintain open and frequent communication; keeping the Principal informed of all PTO activities/ideas; work with Principal to set fundraiser and family fun night dates and times; work with the Vice President to create PTO Committees; serve as an observational member of all PTO committees, is updated weekly on committee work/progress, and assists committees in work completion when necessary; helps coordinate various receptions/events; and represents the organization at meetings outside the PTO.
  2. The Vice President will perform President’s duties in the event of the President’s absence. They will work with the President to create PTO Committees and serve as an observational member of all PTO committees. The Vice President is updated weekly on committee work/progress and is copied on relevant committee emails. They assist committees in work completion when necessary.
  3. The Secretary is the record keeping arm of the PTO. The Secretary will post the agenda to the PTO social media and/or PTO affiliated websites no less than 5 days before the Community Meeting. The Secretary will keep an accurate record of all PTO Community Meetings. No later than 7 days after the Community Meeting, the Secretary will prepare a draft of the Minutes and submit to the PTO President(s) for their feedback. Once in final form, the Secretary will submit the Minutes to the PTO Board Members for their review. Minutes are submitted to PTO Board within 14 days of the Community Meeting. No later than 5 days after the next scheduled Community Meeting, and assuming the previous months’ Minutes have been approved by vote, the Secretary will post the Minutes to PTO social media and/or affiliated websites.

If the PTO Board wishes to conduct separate Board Member Meetings, the Secretary will also keep an accurate record of all Board Member Meetings. No later than 7 days after the Board Member Meeting, the Secretary will prepare a draft of the Minutes and submit to the PTO President(s) for their feedback. Once in final form, the Secretary will submit the Minutes to the PTO Board Members for their review. Goal is that Minutes are submitted to PTO Board within 14 days of the Board Member Meeting.

Within 7 days of being notified by the Board of any donations, the Secretary will express gratitude for donations from community businesses. Handwritten thank you notes are preferred but not required. The Secretary will assist in gathering any necessary information for correspondence that needs to be distributed to community members, parents, etc. The Secretary also keeps a copy of the bylaws and any other necessary supplies to be available at Community and Board meetings. Finally, the Secretary will keep a current record of all PTO email addresses/passwords.

  1. The Treasurer shall receive all funds of the organization, keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, and pay out funds in accordance with the approval of the executive board. The Treasurer will present a financial statement at every meeting and at other times of the year when requested by the executive board, make a full report at the end of the year; and file any documents required at the end of the fiscal year.
  2. The Communications Coordinator is the public relations arm of the PTO. When possible, this position should be filled by a Frontier staff person to aid in relationship building and to amplify the collaboration between teachers and parents.

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for any and all communications from the PTO to the community and staff about PTO social events and meetings via all communication channels (social media, website, etc.); as well as to all staff for classroom dissemination, and to Katie Wells for Sunday Night Announcements by 3p Wednesdays.

The Communications Coordinator aids in creating and distributing PTO event and informational flyers; and creates and distributes the monthly newsletter via all previously listed communication channels.

  1. The Event Coordinator is responsible for the coordination of activities related to building a positive relationship between the school and community. They will oversee events which include but are not limited to Falcon Family Fun Nights and Community Engagement Activities.

The Event Coordinator will assist in fundraising and works closely with the Communications Coordinator to promote events. The Event Coordinator collaborates with members of the PTO to coordinate volunteer assignments as needed and will communicate with the volunteer coordinator to ensure adequate staffing for relevant events.

Article 10. Resignation of Officers

  1. Members may at times need to resign prior to the end of their term. In the event of a necessary resignation, all PTO related documents (digital and physical) shall be turned over to PTO president within 72 hours of resignation. This includes relevant notes, committee work, and information about any other tasks the officer was working on.
  2. Access to PTO email accounts will be terminated at the time of resignation.

Article 11. Liability of Officers and Members

The personal liability of each officer and each member of the PTO for monetary or other damages for conduct as an officer or member shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by current or future members.

Article 12. Monetary Distributions

  1. All authorized monetary distributions shall be paid by the Treasurer.
  2. Requests for funds shall be submitted to the President in writing through the organization’s PTO Grant From outlining the requested amount and what it is to be used for; and presented verbally at a PTO meeting at least two weeks prior to the required distribution of such funds.
  3. Expenditures of $100.00 or less may be authorized by the PTO President. Expenditures of $100.01 to $200.00 may by authorized by a majority vote of the organization’s officers. In order to be authorized, expenditures of $200.01 or more require a majority vote of the membership in attendance at the meeting where the item is introduced.
  4. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes of this organization.
  5. The organization will establish and maintain an annual budget for each fiscal year.

Article 13. Meetings

  1. A schedule of the PTO’s regular business meetings shall be published at the beginning of the school year.
  2. The first meeting of the school year shall be an organizational one.
  3. A special-purpose meeting may be called by the President(s) provided that notice of the meeting is published at least one week prior to its scheduled occurrence.
  4. A schedule of the PTO’s board meetings will be agreed upon by all board members at the beginning of the school year which will be held once a month prior to each PTO Community meeting.

Article 13. Events

  1. Events are determined over the summer by a meeting of the Board and Principal. Events are determined by success, volunteer support, and space availability.
  2. Ad-hoc events can be planned over the course of the year with board and Principal approval. Events will be posted online for members to view.

Article 14. Conducting Business

  1. The President(s) shall preside over all meetings of the organization
  2. Any member of the organization may introduce an item for discussion and/or a vote by the organization. This may be done in person at a meeting or by prior notification of the President, either through conversation or in writing.
  3. In order for a vote to take place, a member in attendance must make a motion for said vote, and the motion must be seconded by another member in attendance. A majority vote of those in attendance is required for a motion to pass.
  4. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
  5. These bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a majority vote of those in attendance if notice of proposed changes has been distributed at least one week in advance.
  6. These bylaws will be reviewed and approved once per academic year.

Article 15. Code of Conduct

  1. All PTO members shall act in the best interest of the PTO. Members should conduct themselves in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner while demonstrating ethical and moral behavior.
  2. Adherence to all Parent Teacher Organization of Aurora Frontier P-8 School bylaws, rules, and policies may never be violated.
  3. It is the responsibility of every member to know and understand these rules.
  4. In the event of a violation of the code of conduct, the President(s) and Vice President will meet to determine next steps.

Article 16. Dissolution

If this organization is ever dissolved, all assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the County in which the principal office of the Parent Teacher Organization of Aurora Frontier P-8 school is then located, exclusive for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.