By-Laws

Bylaws Of the

Bracken County Middle School

Parent Teacher Organization

 

Article I

Name

The name of and location of this organization shall be the Bracken County Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Bracken County Middle School, 167 Parlsey Drive, Brooksville, KY41004.

 

Article II

Purpose

The relationships within the Bracken County Community, which includes students, teachers, staff, parents, and patrons, are a vital influence on the success of our children’s futures.Therefore, our purpose is to foster a sense of support for their educational and recreational needs, pride, and enthusiasm.Through fund-raising and family activities, we will promote positive school/community relationships that enhance our children’s educational environment.

 

Article III

Policies

The policies shall be developed through meetings and committees and shall not direct or control the administrative activities of the school.

  •     The organization shall be noncommercial, nonsectarian and nonpartisan.
  •     The name of the organization or the name 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 the promotion of the objectives of the organization.
  •     The organization shall not, directly or indirectly, participate or intervene (in any way, including the publishing or distributing or statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office; or devote more than an insubstantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise.
  •     The organization shall work with the school to provide quality education of all children and youth and shall seek to participate in the decision-making process establishing school polity, recognizing that the legal responsibilities to make decisions has been delegated by the people to Boards of Education, local School Districts, and local elected School Boards.
  •     The organization may cooperate with other organizations and agencies concerned with child welfare, but persons representing the organization in such matters shall be prohibited from making commitments in any form that bind the organization.
  •     In the event of the dissolution of the organization, its assets shall be distributed for one or more of the exempt purposed specified in Section 502c(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended.The account balance will be transferred to the Bracken County Middle School, and the funds are to be appropriated by the Principal for educational purposes only.

 

Article IV

Membership

  •     Membership in the BCMS PTO shall be made available to any individual without regard to race, color, creed or national origin, under such rules and regulations are not in conflict with the provisions of these by-laws.
  •     Regular membership of the BCMS PTO shall be open to parents or legal guardians of children currently registered, teachers, staff and administrative personnel of BCMS.All members shall subscribe to the objectives and basic policies of this organization.
  •     Every Regular member shall have the privilege of making motions, voting and serving committees.
  •     Non voting membership of the BCMS shall be open to any supporter of the BCMS that is not eligible for Regular membership and shall subscribe to the objectives and basic policies of this organization.

 

Article V

Meetings

Monthly General Membership meetings of the organization shall be held on the first Monday of each month of the school year at 6:30 p.m. and held at the BCMS Library.The meeting of the past and present Executive Committee members shall be held in May of each calendar year, the exact date to be decided upon by the Executive Committee.A meeting with the new Executive Committee and the Principal shall be held in June of each calendar year, the exact date to be decided upon by the Executive Committee.

  •     Special Meetings: Additional meetings of the organization may be called, either by vote of the Executive Committee or by petition of a majority of the voting members.The time and place of all Special meetings shall be announced at least five (5) days prior to the meeting.
  •     Quorum: Those persons present at a properly called General membership or Special meeting shall be designated as a quorum and shall be entitled to take action on behalf of the organization.
  •     Voting: A majority vote of the voting members present at any meeting shall be required for all action to be taken by the organization.

 

Article VI

Officers

The officers of the organization shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

  •     President: The president shall be the principal executive officer of the organization and, subject to the control of the Executive Committee and the direction of membership.The president shall in general supervise and control all of the activities of the organization and shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee and all meetings of the membership.The president shall vote only in the case of a tie in a vote of the Executive Committee or membership.The president shall select and appoint the chairpersons of all Standing and Special Committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees of the organization.The president shall interface with the Principal on all business; and countersign checks properly issued by the treasurer.
  •     Vice President: The vice president shall be a member of the Executive Committee and, in the absence of the president, shall assume the duties and office of the president.The vice president will oversee all fundraising activities for the organization and assume the role of Parliamentarian; and distribute current by-laws to incoming Executive Committee members at the last annual meeting.
  •     Secretary: The secretary shall be a member of the Executive Committee and, in the event the president and vice president are unable to attend a meeting, the secretary will preside.The secretary shall keep a correct record of the minutes and votes of all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee; and read minutes of the previous meeting to be approved.These records shall be kept in a hard copy format, shall be in organized manner, and shall be made available for historical purposes.The secretary shall update and fully record any amendments made to organization’s by-laws, and will be responsible for submitting copies of the minutes for public viewing.
  •     Treasurer: The treasurer shall receive and deposit all monies of the organization in a timely manner and shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures.The treasure shall pay out funds only in accordance with the approval of the Executive Committee.The treasure shall correspond and insure all forms are filed for approval of school fund-raisers with the Principal, Board of Education and Executive Committee.The treasure shall make a full report at the end of the current school year and shall prepare an annual financial report to be submitted to the incoming Executive Committee at the last annual meeting.The treasurer shall collect membership dues as are established by the organization and shall certify to the secretary an accurate list of voting membership.The treasure shall prepare and coordinate annual budget.
  • All officers shall deliver to their successors official materials at the close of their service of office; decide on fund-raisers and services to be provided during the school year; decide upon chairperson(s) for the events and services sponsored by the PTO and approve the budget and financial report monthly.

 

The term of each officer shall be one year, beginning on June 2 and ending on June 1 of the following year.A person may be elected to the same or other office for more than one term.A person may not hold the same office for more than two years

Any vacancy in office because of death, resignation or inability to serve shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the unexpired portion of the term.However, should a vacancy occur in the office of the president, the vice president, shall immediately assume the office.Should a vacancy occur in the office of the vice president for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled by election of the next Regular meeting of membership consistent with the procedures established herein.

 

Article VII

Elections

The election process will begin with nomination forms available beginning in March of each calendar year.Nominations will be received for a period of twenty-one (21) days, including being received from the floor.After the annual report has been given and accepted by the voting membership, the election of officers shall take place during the April meeting each year.All voting members of the organization may participate in the election.The election of the slate, if non-contested, may be by voice vote.Any contested election shall be by written ballot.This meeting shall be the Annual Election meeting.New Executive Committee members shall meet with present members so as to learn policy, procedures, and roles.The new committee members will run the PTO meeting in May of the school year with help from past committee members as needed.

The candidate receiving the most votes shall be deemed elected.In case of a tie, the Principal’s vote will serve as the tiebreaker.

 

Article VIII

Finances

All monies of the BCMS PTO shall be deposited by the treasurer in the First National Bank of Brooksville or other financial institution approved by the Executive Committee.The account shall be carried in the name of the BCMS PTO and bear the tax exempt number XXXX .

  •     Budget : The Executive Committee shall present to the membership at the first Regular meeting of the year an anticipated budget, revenue and expenses for the year.This budget shall be used to guide the activities of the Executive Committee during the year.Any substantial deviation from the budget must be approved in advance by the voting membership.
  •     Obligations: The Executive Committee may authorize any officer or officers to enter into contracts or agreements for the organization.Any change in the amount of dues shall be approved by a vote of the voting membership.
  •     Loans: No loans shall be made by the organization to its officers or members.
  •     Commercial Papers :All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money on behalf of the organization shall be signed by the treasurer and the president.Both signatures are required on all commercial paper mentioned above.In the event of an emergency associated with the BCMS, there will be a cap of $500 to be given without approval of the governing body except for the president, vice president and the treasurer.
  •     Financial Report: The treasurer shall present a financial report at each General Membership meeting of the organization and shall prepare a final report at the close of the year.The Executive Committee shall have the report and the accounts examined annually by the Principal, who, if satisfied that the treasurer’s annual report is correct, shall sign a statement of that fact at the end of the report.The Executive Committee shall leave a minimum balance of three thousand dollars ($3,000) to cover beginning expenses.
  •     Financial Hardship: No Regular member shall be denied the right to participate in the activities of the organization or to become a Voting member due to financial hardship.The Executive Committee shall establish waivers to insure compliance with this policy.

 


Article IX

Parliamentary Authority

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised edition, shall govern the organization in which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with these by-laws.A copy of Robert’s Rules of Orders shall be present and available at all PTO meetings.

 

Article X

Amendments

These by-laws may be amended in any Regular meeting of the organization by two-thirds vote of the voting members present and providing that notice of the proposed amendment shall have been given at the previous meeting.

If any part of these by-laws shall conflict with the decisions, policies or procedures adopted by the Bracken County School Board, they shall be deemed null and void and the decision of the Bracken County School Board, in all cases, control.
 

These by-laws were adopted and approved on June 7th, 2005.