Highland School PTO

Adopted 03/21/2007


Article I – Name

The name of this organization is the Highland School Parent Teacher Organization of the School District of Abington located in Abington, Pennsylvania and hereinafter referred to as “PTO”


Article II – Objectives

Section 1.

The objectives of the HighLand School PTO are:

  1. To promote the welfare of the children and youth in the home, school and community.
  2. To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of the children and youth.
  3. To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the training and education of the child.
  4. To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest advantages in physical, mental, social and effective education.

Article III – Basic Policies

Section 1.

The following are the basic policies of the PTO:

  1. The organization shall be non-commercial, non-sectarian and non-partisan.
  2. The name of the organization or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purpose not appropriately related to promotion of the objects of the organization.
  3. The organization shall not-directly or indirectly- participate (in anyway, including the publishing or distributing of statements in any political campaign on behalf of , or in any opposition to any candidate for public office. This paragraph shall not prohibit the sponsorship of non-partisan meetings intended to better inform the public about the candidates for the Board of School Directors of Abington School District by permitting all such candidates for the school board to express their views of public information.
  4. The organization shall work with the Abington Schools to provide quality education for all children and the youth shall seek to participate in the decision making process establishing school policy , recognizing that the legal responsibility to make decisions has been delegated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Boards of Education.
  5. The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies active in child education and welfare, such as conference groups or coordinating councils. All cooperative efforts shall be approved by the executive committee and unless specifically authorized, any PTO representative shall make no commitments that bind the group he/she represents.
  6. in the event of dissolution of the organization, its assets shall be spent down to zero (0) dollars during the current school year.

Article IV – Membership and Dues

Section 1.

Any person interested in the objects of this organization who is a parent and/or guardian of a student currently enrolled at Highland or any Abington School District employee assigned to Highland and is willing to uphold its basic policies and subscribe to its bylaws may become a member upon payment of dues; as hereinafter provided.

Section 2.

The annual dues shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per family.

Section 3.

An annual enrollment shall be conducted. Additional members shall be accepted at any time.


Article V – Officers

Section 1.

The officers of this organization shall be two (2) Co-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers shall be nominated by May 1st and elected at the regular meeting in May for a term on one (1) year commencing at the close of said meeting. An exception is made for the positions of Co-Presidents and Treasurer which are two (2) year terms. Each Co-President term of office commences on alternating years. An officer may be eligible to serve more than (2) terms consecutively in the same office as the need arises.

Section 2.

  1. There shall be a nominating committee consisting of not less than three (3) nor more than (5) current PTO members by April 1st.
  2. The members of the nominating committee shall elect one (1) member of the committee to serve as chairperson.
  3. The nominating committee shall select at least (1) nominee, who has consented to serve, if elected, for each office of the organization. Nominees may be selected from parents and/or guardians of students who are anticipated to attend Highland School during the following year. A current faculty member assigned to Highland may serve on the executive committee only if they also have a child who is anticipated will attend Highland School during the following year. In the event a nominee is elected and the child does not attend Highland School as anticipated, such office shall be declared vacant.

Section 3.

The nominating committee shall present the slate of at least one nominee for each office at the meeting of the organization in May.

Section 4.

A vacancy in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a member elected by majority vote of the remaining members of the executive committee, notice of such election having been given.

Section 5.

If an office shall be held by two (2) persons and one (1) shall be unable to serve, the remaining person will serve alone for the remainder of the term.


Article VI – Duties of Officers

Section 1.

The Co-Presidents shall preside at all meetings of the organization and of the executive committee at which he/she may be present; shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed in these bylaws or assigned to him/her by the organization or by the executive committee; shall coordinate the work of the officers and committees of the organization in order that the objectives may be promoted; shall represent the school family or may appoint a designee as an active member of the parent council.

Section 2.

The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings of the organization and of the executive committee, shall provide at least one copy for public record no later than two (2) weeks after each meeting, and shall perform such other duties as may be delegated to him/her.

Section 3.

The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds of the organization, shall keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and shall make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget as authorized by the organization or the executive committee. The treasurer shall present a financial statement at every monthly meeting of the organization and at other times when requested by the executive committee. The treasurer shall be responsible for the maintenance if such books of accounts and records as conform to the requirements on Article VI, section 4 of the bylaws. The treasurer’s accounts shall be examined annually by an auditing committee of not less than two (2) members, who, satisfied that the treasurer’s annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report. The auditing committee shall be appointed by the executive committee. The treasurer shall prepare a preliminary budget prior to the annual budget meeting which must occur prior to August 31st. All committee chairs shall be invited to the annual budget meeting. The annual budget must then be approved by paper ballot by a majority of the committee chairs and the executive board. The treasurer’s term shall be a two (2) year term.

Section 4.

  1. The treasurer shall be bonded by provision of the Parent Council.
  2. The treasurer must file forms as may be required from time to time by the Internal Revenue Code and regulations relating thereto.

Section 5.

All officers shall:

  1. Perform the duties prescribed in the parliamentary authority in addition to those outlined in these bylaws and those assigned from time to time.
  2. Deliver to their successors all official material no later than ten (10) days following the election of their successors.

Article VII – Executive Committee

Section 1.

The executive committee shall consist of the officers of the organization as outlined in Article V. The members of the executive committee shall serve until the election and qualification of their successors.

Section 2.

The duties of the executive committee shall be:

  1. To transact necessary business in the intervals between organization meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization.
  2. To create standing committees.
  3. To approve the plans of work of the standing committees.
  4. To present a report at the regular meetings of the organization.
  5. To report to an auditing committee to audit the treasurer’s accounts.
  6. To approve routine bills and gifts to the Highland school as well as to determine and approve specific uses of such gifts by the Highland school within the limits of the budget. No funds shall be disbursed by the treasurer unless a completed disbursement form, signed by a Co-President, is presented.
  7. To prepare and submit to the organization for the approval a budget for the fiscal year.

Article VIII – Meetings

Section 1.

Regular meetings of the PTO shall be held each month during the school year, unless otherwise indicated by the executive committee. Changes in meeting dates shall be permitted upon not less the five (5) days notice posted and notice sent home at the Highland school.

Section 2.

A majority of the members in attendance at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any meeting of the PTO.


Article IX – Disbursement of Non-Budgeted Funds

Section 1.

Non-budgeted expenses up to ($500.00) five hundred dollars must be approved by both Co-Presidents.

Section 2.

Non-budgeted expenses up to ($500.00) five hundred dollars but up to ($2500.00) two thousand five hundred dollars must be approved by a majority vote of the executive board and all committee chairs who are current PTO members by paper ballot.

Section 3.

Non-budgeted expenses over ($2500.00) two thousand five hundred must be approved by a majority vote of the executive board and all current PTO members by paper ballot.


Article X – Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the organization shall begin on August 1st and end the following July 31st.


Article XI – Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rule of Order Revised shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-lays.


Article XII – Amendments

These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the organization by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present and voting provided that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at least five (5) days prior to said meeting.