Can funds allocated for computers be reallocated?

Parliamentary Procedure Q&A

Q: I'm the Vice President of the PTO of my child's school. The principal is new this year. Last June we voted to have $15,000 go to the purchase of computers. We gave the check to the school, but they never ordered the computers. We took the check back in November to hold until they were ready to order the computers. Now the new principal wants the money to be reallocated to fixing the playground. I say this cannot be done. How should this be handled? - K.C., Jan. 12, 2000

A: If your PTO wants to reallocate the funds to a new purpose, it would need to Amend Something Previously Adopted (i.e., amend the adopted motion to give $15K for computers).

The form to make this motion is, "I move to amend the motion adopted on June __ to give $15,000 toward the purchase of computers, by striking out 'purchase of computers' and inserting 'restoration of the playground.'"

This motions requires a second, is debatable and amendable, and for adoption requires:

two thirds of the votes; or,

a majority of the votes, previous notice having been given; or,

a majority of the entire membership, present or not.

If the motion to ASPA fails, the money is still available to the school for computers. To cancel that offer, the PTO can adopt a motion to Rescind the June decision, using essentially the same procedure as that for ASPA.

HOME QUESTIONS OTHER SITES