By-Laws of Lake Zurich Middle School South

Parent/Teacher Organization

Revised:  October 12, 2006

I.          PURPOSE

To provide educational and social materials and experiences to enhance and enrich the experiences of the Middle School South Student Body.

II.         GOALS

A.        The annual members of Middle School South PTO shall consist of all teachers and parents of students enrolled in Lake Zurich Middle School South Campus.

B.         To promote worthwhile projects to assist Middle School South in obtaining needed equipment and to assist in other ways to improve the school.

C.        To promote the welfare of the children at home, school, and in the community.

III.       MEMBERSHIP

A.        The annual membership of Middle School South PTO shall consist of all teachers and parents of students enrolled in Lake Zurich Middle School South Campus.

B.         Every PTO member is entitled to participate in all PTO activities and committees.

C.        Every PTO member shall receive a copy of the school address and phone book.

IV.       PTO BOARD

            A.        The PTO Board shall consist of:

                        1.         The Executive Board is comprised of the following officers:

                                    a)         President

                                                1.         Presides at all PTO Board meetings.

                                                2.         Is a member ex-officio of each committee.

3.         Assists the Board in appointing all committee coordinators.     

4.         The outgoing President shall assist the incoming Executive Officers Board during the transition period at the end of the current school year.

5.         Approves expenditures less than $100.00 without a vote of the PTO Board.  Expenditures exceeding $100.00 must be approved by a majority of the Executive Officers in the absence of a PTO Board meeting.

6.         Votes on motions only in the case of a tie vote.

b)         Vice President

1.         Performs the duties of the President in the absence or resignation of that officer.

                                                2.         Chairs the Grant Committee.

3.         Chairs the Nominating Committee.     

4.         Maintains and distributes job descriptions to Board members.

c)         Secretary

1.         Keeps complete and accurate minutes of all meetings of the PTO Board.

                                                2.         Conducts all necessary correspondence.

3.         Notifies all members of the PTO Board of any change in the regular meeting date or time.

4.         Provides all members of the PTO with copies of the previous Board meeting minutes.

5.         Keeps attendance records of meetings.

6.         Provides agenda for monthly meetings.

d)         Treasurer

1.         Handles bank transfer cards and dispenses authorization cards to the new President.  This shall be completed by August 1^st each year.

2.         Receives all funds of the organization and keeps an accurate record of receipts and disbursements.

3.         Makes disbursements which have been approved by the PTO Board or the President.

4.         Ensures the Audit Committee completes the annual audit by the beginning of the school year.

5.         The incoming Treasurer shall be responsible only for the amount of money as per the checkbook balance of the organization after the audit.

6.         Presents a full written financial report at each PTO Board meeting.

7.         Retains receipts for three years (including the current year).

8.         Assists in the distribution of funds for all fundraisers.

9.         Attends all Grant Committee meetings.

10.       The President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall have signing authority for the PTO bank accounts.  Any check issued in excess of $500 requires two signatures.

11.       Current monthly PTO bank account statements must be made available to the Executive Board at each PTO monthly Board meeting.

12.       All receipts must be submitted by the last day of the current district fiscal year in order that the books be reconciled effectively.  Opportunity for reimbursement will expire at the end of the current district fiscal year (generally June 30^th).

                        2.         School representatives comprised of:

                                    a)         Principal

                                    b)         At least one faculty member.

3.         Committee Coordinators covering various areas of need for each year as decided by elected officers.  Example:  standing committees.

B.         Each PTO Board member shall serve for a term of one year not to exceed three consecutive years in the same position.

C.        The President and Treasurer shall be previous District 95 PTO Board members for at least one year prior to assuming these offices.

D.        PTO Board vacancies occurring during the term of office shall be filled by an appointment of the President with the approval of the PTO Board.

E.         The PTO Board shall meet once each month.  All terms of office shall commence the first of July prior to the new school year.

F.         Each PTO Board member shall have one vote.  A majority of the PTO Executive Board and Committee Coordinators present at the monthly PTO board meeting may approve any motion unless otherwise required by these bylaws.

G.        Each PTO Board member is responsible for a verbal report at each monthly PTO Board meeting.

H.        The PTO Officers and each Committee Coordinator shall keep a notebook of activities for the year, which shall be updated by May and turned over to their successor at the last PTO Board meeting of the school year.

I.          All PTO Officers and Committee Coordinators are to attend monthly PTO Board meetings.  Three or more absences may result in forfeiture of their position.

V.        ELECTIONS

            A.        Nominations for officers shall be made by a Nominating Committee.

B.         The Chair of the Nominating Committee shall present the slate of Executive Officers and Committee Coordinators at the April Board meeting.  Additional nominations may be submitted at this time.

C.        The election of Executive Officers and Committee Coordinators shall be held at the May PTO Board meeting.  Additions from the floor may be added and voted on at that time in a separate motion from the previously presented slate.

D.        If there is more than one nominee for any Executive Board position, voting shall be written, secret ballot, otherwise voting may be by majority of the total votes cast.  In the event of a tie, ballots will be cast until a majority is acquired for one of the nominees.

VI.       COMMITTEES

            A.        The Grant Committee:

                        1.         shall be chaired by the Vice President.

2.         shall consist of the PTO Treasurer, at least two additional PTO members, one faculty member and the Principal.

3.         shall meet at least twice a year to review grant requests.  The Committee will present their recommendations in order of purchase priority at the next PTO meeting.  Voting on the recommendations by the PTO Board will also take place at this meeting.

4.         Opportunities for grant expenditures will expire at the end of the current fiscal school year and will not be held over to the next year.

B.         The Nominating Committee:

            1.         shall be chaired by the Vice President.

2.         shall consist of five PTO members, including the Vice President and one other Executive Board member (excluding current President), and three other members.

3.         shall be appointed by the Vice President with the approval of the Board.

            C.        The Audit Committee:

                        1.         shall be appointed by the PTO Board.

                        2.         shall consist of 2 PTO Board members.

3.         shall conduct an end of the school year audit of the Treasurer’s records.  The Treasurer may be present at the audit to answer questions.  The audit will be completed prior to the next school year.

VII.      AMENDMENTS AND SUSPENSION OF BY-LAWS

A.        The by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the PTO with two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present.  Notice of the proposed amendment must be given at the meeting the month prior to the vote being taken.

B.         The officers shall conduct a yearly by-law review in August with changes to be presented by the September PTO Board meeting.

C.        Any by-law may be overridden by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the PTO members present.