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PTO By-Laws
PTO Bylaws
Adopted OCTOBER 24, 2023
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
BLOOMINGTON, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
Article 1.0 Title of Organization
The title of this organization is the Arlington Heights Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization, Bloomington, Indiana, hereafter referred to as the Arlington Heights PTO.
Article 2.0 Articles of Organization
The “articles of organization” comprise these Arlington Heights PTO By-laws, as from time to time amended.
Article 3.0 Objectives
The objectives of this organization are:
•3.1 to promote the welfare of children in home, school and community
• 3.2 to support the maintenance of adequate physical facilities and educational materials as are required to deliver a quality educational experience for our pupils.
• 3.3 to develop between educators and the general public united efforts that will secure the highest possible advantages in all aspects of physical, mental, social and spiritual education.
• 3.4 to support the principle that parents or guardians are ultimately responsible for the education of their children and the responsibility may not be relinquished.
• 3.5 to support the efforts of educators to perform their professional role in the training of young people for responsible adulthood. It is the moral obligation of parents and educators to provide a safe, sane and secure environment for all children.
• 3.6 to encourage parent-teacher cooperation which shall enhance the educational experience for the children. The development of a close relation between the home and the school will encourage opportunities to exchange information and ideas to provide a safe, secure and stable educational experience for the pupils.
Article 4.0 General Policy
The general policy of the PTO is that it:
• 4.1 exists as an unincorporated, noncommercial, religiously nonsectarian and politically nonpartisan organization.
• 4.2 shall not be politically identifiable with persons or parties promoting public office.
• 4.3 will not seek to perform the function of school administration or management or educational policy.
• 4.4 may provide a forum for individual members for discussion and recording of matters relating to administration or educational policy.
• 4.5 and its officers and its membership shall not alienate individual members with commitments that run counter to the Arlington Heights PTO By-laws.
Article 5.0 Membership
Membership in the PTO shall:
• 5.1 be made available without regard to race, color, creed, national origin or sexual orientation.
• 5.2 include all family members or legal guardians of each student enrolled at Arlington Heights, as well as any member of the community who volunteer at Arlington Heights, and the professional and support staff at Arlington Heights Elementary School.
• 5.3 grant eligibility to participate in the business meetings or to serve in any of its elective or appointive positions.
Article 6.0 Election of Executive Committee
• 6.1 Each officer must hold membership in the PTO.
• 6.2 Executive Officers of the PTO shall:
o 6.2.1 consist of a president, vice president, a secretary, and a treasurer.
• 6.2.2 be elected for a two-year term.
• 6.2.3 not be elected for the same office for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
• 6.2.4 be elected on the alternating year cycle of
• 6.2.4.1 odd numbered years shall hold elections for the office of president and treasurer.
• 6.2.4.2 even numbered years shall hold elections for the offices of vice-president and secretary.
• 6.3 Nominations for officers shall be pursued, first, by sending a survey to all parents requesting parents to volunteer to stand for election.
• 6.4 In the absence of volunteers for any specific position, a Nominating Committee will be formed to nominate a full slate of officers. The nominating committee will be composed of the Arlington Heights Elementary Administrator, one Arlington Heights Elementary teacher and one Arlington Heights Elementary Parent. The teacher shall be selected by the Principal. The committee will nominate the slate at least one (1) month prior to the election. The nominating committee shall:
o 6.41 report all nominees for each office to be filled at the Board meeting prior to the election, at which time additional nominees may be made from the floor.
o 6.42 consider eligible for office and nominate only those persons who are members of the PTO.
o 6.43 consider eligible and nominate only those persons who have explicitly agreed to serve prior to nomination and election.
o 6.5 Pertinent information on nominees shall be made available to the general membership prior to a contested election.
o 6.6 Officers shall be elected by ballot vote from general membership at the general meeting held during second semester.
o 6.7 Offices shall be filled for the following school year no later than the close of the annual board meeting in May.
o 6.8 Officers for the ensuing school year shall assume duties not later than the first scheduled school day.
o 6.9 Vacancies occurring in any office shall be filled for the unexpired term at the first meeting following the date of vacancy. A person shall be elected by majority vote of the board and notice of such election given to general membership.
o 6.10 Officers can be removed from office with or without cause by a majority vote of those present at a general meeting.
Article 7.0 Duties of Officers and Elected Board Members
• 7.1 The President shall:
o 7.11 preside at all meetings of the organization
o 7.12 perform other duties as may be prescribed in these By-laws.
o 7.13 coordinate the work of the officers and the organization in order that the Objectives may be promoted. •
7.2 The Vice-President shall:
o 7.21 act as an aide to the President.
o 7.22 perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of that officer.
o 7.23 perform such other duties as may be assigned.
• 7.3 The Secretary shall:
o 7.31 record the minutes of all meetings of the organization
o 7.32 perform such other duties as may be assigned.
• 7.4 The Treasurer shall:
o 7.41 have custody of all of the funds of the organization.
o 7.42 maintain such books of accounts and records as required for auditing.
o 7.43 keep a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures at all times.
o 7.44 make disbursements in accordance with the approved budget of the organization.
o 7.45 present a financial report at every meeting of the organization and at other times when requested.
o 7.46 if deemed necessary by the officers or the general membership, have accounts examined annually by an auditing committee of not less than three members outside of the Executive Committee. Selection of this committee is a duty of the Arlington Heights Elementary Principal. When satisfied that the Treasurer’s annual report is correct, the auditing committee shall sign a statement of fact at the end of the report.
o 7.47 make a full and complete report at the first general meeting of the following school year.
Article 8.0 Organization Meetings
• 8.1 A minimum of two (2) general meetings of this organization shall be held during the school year. Dates of meetings shall be determined by the Board and Arlington Heights Administration and announced at the first regular meeting of the year. There should be at least one general meeting per semester.
• 8.2 All meetings shall occur with five (5) days notice sent home electronically and paper.
• 8.3 Special meetings of the organization may be called by the president or by a majority of the executive committee, four (4) days notice being given.
• 8.4 Two (2) officers plus a minimum of one member of the PTO shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any general meeting of this organization.
Article 9.0 Standing and Special Committees
• 9.1 Only members of the organization shall be eligible to serve in any elective or appointed position.
• 9.2 The Executive Committee may create such special committees as it may deem necessary to promote the Objectives and carry on the work of the organization. The term of each chairman shall be one (1) year or until the selection of his successor.
• 9.3 The chairman of each standing or special committee shall present a plan of work to the board for approval. No committee work shall be undertaken without the consent of the executive committee.
• 9.4 The power to form special committees and appoint their members rests with the organization and/or the Executive Committee. (As a special committee is created and appointed for a specific purpose, it automatically goes out of existence when its work is done and its final report is received.)
• 9.5 The president shall be a member ex officio of all committees except the nominating committee.
Article 10 Fiscal Year
• 10.1 The fiscal year of this organization shall begin on July 1 and end on the following June 30.
• 10.2 Upon the dissolution of the organization, any remaining funds should be used to pay any outstanding bills, and with the membership’s approval, spent for the benefit of the school.
Article 11.0 Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the organization in all cases in which they are applicable.
Article 12.0 Amendments
• 12.1 These By-Laws may be amended at any regular general meeting of the organization by a two-third vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment having been given at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the amendment is voted upon.
• 12.2 A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of By-Laws as a substitute for the existing By-Laws only by a majority vote at a meeting of the organization, or by a two- thirds vote of the Board. The requirements for adoption of a revised set of By-Laws shall be the same as in the case of an amendment.