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

Approved January 2025

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 through fundraising for school programs, resources and events that directly benefit the students and teachers of Aurora Frontier P-8 School.
  3. To provide various services, determined by the organization, to the school and its students.
  4. 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. Membership

  1. All parents/guardians, staff members and teachers of Aurora Frontier P-8 are considered 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 5. Fiscal Year

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

Article 6. Officers

  1. The officers of this organization shall be President(s), a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Events Coordinator, and a School Liaison.

Article 7. Election of Officers

  1. The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator and School Liaison shall be elected at the April meeting of the school year for a term of one year.
  2. Officers shall assume their official duties at the May Community meeting. All records and files shall be exchanged during the period between the April Community meeting and the May board meeting.
  3. Candidates for the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Events Coordinator and School Liaison shall be determined by nomination from the membership. Candidates may also volunteer for a position.
  4. Only candidates who have consented to serve, if elected, shall be eligible for nomination.
  5. Candidates must be present to be considered eligible for nomination or election.
  6. 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.

Article 8. Essential Duties of Officers

The President

a.) Presides over all PTO Community meetings and Board meetings
b.) Oversees the overall operations and strategic direction of the PTO
c.) Represents the PTO to the school administration and other groups as needed
d.) Serves as an observational member of all committees
e.) Assists the Treasurer with the annual PTO budget

The Vice President

a.) Assists the President in all aspects of PTO operations
b.) Performs the duties of the President if the President is absent or unable to serve
c.) Serves as an observational member of all committees
d.) Manages specific PTO projects or events as needed

The Secretary

a.) Maintains accurate records of all PTO meetings, including minutes and attendance
b.) Handles all official PTO correspondence

The Treasurer

a.) Oversees all PTO finances including collecting funds, managing accounts, and paying bills
b.) Prepares financial reports for PTO meetings and audits
c.) Ensures compliance with financial regulations
d.) Assists the President with the annual PTO budget

The Events Coordinator

a.) Plans, organizes and executes various PTO events including community engagement activities, fundraisers and teacher appreciation
b.) Works with PTO leadership and school administration to align events with community and school needs

The School Liaison

a.) Identifies and communicates school staff wants and needs with the PTO
b.) Communicates PTO information to the school staff

Article 9. Resignation of Officers

  1. In the event that an officer resigns prior to the end of their term, all PTO related documents (digital and physical) shall be turned over to the 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.
  3. In the event of an officer resignation a special election may be held to fill the open officer position.

Article 10. 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 11. Monetary Distributions

  1. The organization will establish and maintain an annual budget for each fiscal year.
  2. All authorized monetary distributions shall be paid by the Treasurer.
  3. Requests for funds not included in the PTO annual budget shall be submitted to the President through the organization’s PTO Grant Form. All requests will be presented verbally at a PTO meeting prior to the required distribution of such funds.
  4. Expenditures under $200 not included in the approved PTO annual budget require approval from the PTO President and Treasurer.
  5. Expenditures over $200 not included in the approved PTO annual budget require majority approval from the membership in attendance at the meeting where the item is introduced.
  6. 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.

Article 12. 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. The PTO will host events throughout the year to support community engagement and fundraising. Event planning shall be coordinated by the Events Coordinator, school Principal and approved by the board.

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. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. These bylaws will be reviewed and approved once per academic year.

Article 15. Voting

Eligibility to Vote

a.) All PTO members present at the meeting are eligible to vote, including board members (other than the President) and members attending virtually.
b.) The President shall not vote on motions unless the votes of members present result in a tie.
c.) Officers may abstain from voting in cases of conflict of interest, which must be disclosed before the vote.
d.) A quorum consisting of at least three members, including at least two officers, must be met for any vote to take place.

Voting Process

a.) A motion is introduced by a member and must be seconded by another member to proceed.
b.) Members may ask questions, seek clarification or express opinions about the motion.
c.) The President initiates the vote, using the designated voting method.
d.) The Secretary and one non-board member tallies the in-person and virtual votes immediately.
e.) A majority vote of those in attendance is required for a motion to pass.
f.) Results will be announced during the same meeting immediately after the votes are counted.

Article 16. 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 17. 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. In the event of dissolution, any remaining PTO funds shall be donated to Aurora Frontier P-8 School.