Article I — Name

The name of this organization is Ladera Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, referred to herein as the "PTO." The PTO is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan public charitable organization.

Article II — Purpose

The purpose of the PTO is to:

• Work with Ladera Elementary School teachers, administrators, and the Tustin Unified School District ("TUSD") to enhance and improve the educational experience of all Ladera Elementary School students through financial support and parent involvement.

• Foster collaboration between the school and parents to develop a shared vision and common goals for the educational process.

• Promote the welfare of students at school, at home, and within the community by encouraging quality educational, physical, and social interactions among the students of Ladera Elementary School.

Article III — Membership

Section 1. Membership

Membership in the PTO is open to:

• Parents

• Guardians

• Families

• Friends of any Ladera Elementary School student

• Teachers

• Administrators of Ladera Elementary School

Membership is available to anyone who wishes to support the PTO and uphold its policies and bylaws.

Membership shall not be denied on the basis of national origin, race, religion, creed, gender, age, or disability.

Section 2. Data Confirmation

Members must complete TUSD Data Confirmation annually. During this process, members may grant permission for the PTO to share their contact information with other members of the PTO.

The PTO may distribute a member's contact information to Executive Board members as necessary for PTO operations. Executive Board members shall maintain the confidentiality of any information received while performing their duties.

Article IV — Executive Board

Section 1. Duties

The PTO is governed and operated by its Executive Board. The Executive Board conducts the ongoing business of the PTO and has general supervision over the affairs of the organization.

The Executive Board:

• Develops and approves the annual budget.

• Monitors and implements the financial and programmatic work of the PTO.

• Creates, oversees, and dissolves committees as necessary.

• Fills vacancies in office.

• Reviews the bylaws and standing rules.

• Performs all other duties specified in these bylaws.

Voting Rights

The privilege of making motions, debating, and voting is limited to Executive Board members.

• Each Executive Board position has one vote.

• Positions shared by multiple people have one collective vote.

• Board members from the same household collectively have one vote.

• All matters pass by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board.

• Voting may occur during in-person meetings, virtual meetings, or electronically.

The PTO and its officers shall not:

• Participate in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office.

• Engage in partisan political activities.

• Endorse commercial entities in an official capacity.

• Participate in activities unrelated to the PTO's stated purpose.

Attendance at PTO meetings is an officer's duty.

An officer who:

• Misses three consecutive meetings without adequate excuse,

• Fails to fulfill the responsibilities of the office, or

• Engages in conduct harmful to the PTO or its mission,

may, by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, be asked to resign or be removed from office.

The President may nominate a replacement officer, subject to Board approval.

Section 2. Officers

The Executive Board consists of:

• President

• First Vice President – President-Elect/Advisor

• Second Vice President – Support Drive

• Third Vice President – Community Events

• Co-Treasurer

• Secretary

• Fundraising

• After School Enrichment

• Parliamentarian

• Principal of Ladera Elementary School (or designated representative)

The Executive Board is elected annually.

The Parliamentarian is appointed annually by the President after elections and is subject to Board ratification.

The Principal serves in an advisory capacity with full voting rights.

Executive Board officers must:

• Be PTO members in good standing.

• Have children attending Ladera Elementary School.

Any officer who is a paid employee or contractor of the PTO may not vote on matters involving their compensation.

The Executive Board shall not engage in any action that jeopardizes the PTO's tax-exempt status.

Each officer shall:

• Maintain written records of their work.

• Conduct a transition meeting with their successor.

• Transfer all records to the President and all PTO funds to the Treasurer upon completion of their term.

Officer Responsibilities

A. President

The President:

• Serves as liaison with Ladera Elementary School and TUSD.

• Represents the PTO to outside organizations.

• Chairs Executive Board and membership meetings.

• Calls special meetings.

• Serves as ex officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee.

• Appoints committee chairs and the Parliamentarian (subject to Board ratification).

• Oversees officer transitions.

• Supervises officers and committee chairs.

• Approves all public PTO communications with the Principal.

B. First Vice President – President-Elect/Advisor

The First Vice President:

• Works closely with the President.

• Assists in overseeing the PTO.

• Supports Executive Board and membership meetings.

• Assists with committee appointments.

• Oversees officer transitions.

• Acts as President when the President is absent or when the office becomes vacant.

• Performs additional duties assigned by the Board.

C. Second Vice President – Support Drive

The Second Vice President oversees the annual Support Drive.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the annual Direct Support Drive campaign.

• Encouraging PTO participation.

• Welcoming new families.

• Supporting returning families.

• Performing additional duties assigned by the Board.

D. Third Vice President – Community Events

The Third Vice President coordinates community events that strengthen school connections.

Possible events include:

• Welcome Back to School

• Parents Night

• Magic Night

• Bingo Night

• Family Dance

• Trunk or Treat

• STEAM Night

• Movie Night

Events should be low- or no-cost for families.

Responsibilities include planning, coordination, and promotion.

E. Co-Treasurer

The Co-Treasurers:

• Maintain all financial and tax records.

• Manage banking relationships.

• Maintain financial records for seven years.

• Pay approved expenses.

• Obtain two authorized signatures on checks.

• Prepare financial reports.

• Coordinate annual tax filings.

• Deposit PTO funds.

• Chair the Budget Committee.

• Perform additional duties assigned by the Board.

F. Secretary

The Secretary:

• Maintains all non-financial records.

• Records meeting minutes.

• Maintains attendance records.

• Keeps official digital records of bylaws and minutes.

• Performs additional duties assigned by the Board.

G. Fundraising

The Fundraising Chair:

Coordinates fundraising efforts including:

• Fall fundraising

• Spring fundraising

• Online auctions

• Spring Carnival fundraising

• Corporate sponsorships

• Dino Dash

• See's Candies

• Additional fundraising opportunities

Performs other duties assigned by the Board.

H. After School Enrichment

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating after-school enrichment programs.

• Vetting third-party vendors.

• Scheduling classes.

• Coordinating payments.

• Performing additional duties assigned by the Board.

I. Parliamentarian

The Parliamentarian:

• Is appointed by the President.

• Advises on Robert's Rules of Order.

• Attends all meetings.

• Chairs the Bylaws Committee.

• Chairs the Nominating Committee.

• Conducts a biennial review of the bylaws.

• Oversees Executive Board elections.

• Performs additional duties assigned by the Board.

J. Principal

The Principal:

• Serves as an honorary Executive Board member.

• Has full rights and privileges.

• Attends meetings.

• Shares school and district updates.

• Reviews and approves PTO communications distributed to the school community.

Section 3. Terms of Office

• Terms begin July 1 and end June 30.

• Executive Board positions are two-year terms.

• Officers may serve a maximum of three consecutive years in the same office, as needed.

• Officers may later return to the same office after a one-term break.

• Positions may be shared by up to three individuals.

• A training or shadow year may be excluded from term limits at the President's discretion.

• No person may hold more than one elected office simultaneously unless necessary.

• Serving more than six months of a term counts as serving a full term.

Section 4. Nominations

The Nominating Committee:

• Is assembled by the Parliamentarian before the February meeting.

• Is announced during the February meeting.

• Recruits candidates.

• Conducts nominations.

• Presents the proposed slate at the March PTO meeting.

• Oversees elections during the April PTO meeting.

Additional nominations may be accepted from the floor during the April meeting.

The committee:

• Consists of at least three PTO members.

• Members must attend PTO meetings.

• Members may serve no more than two consecutive years.

The President does not serve on the committee.

The Principal serves only in an advisory role.

Section 5. Elections

Executive Board elections occur during the April PTO meeting.

• Elections are by voice vote unless an office is contested.

• Contested offices require written ballots.

• Vacancies after the election are filled by the new Executive Board.

• Vacancies require a majority Board vote.

• If the President's office becomes vacant, the First Vice President oversees the election.

Article V — Committees

Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive Board.

The Executive Board:

• Creates committees.

• Dissolves committees.

• Reviews committee needs annually.

Committee Chairs:

• Are appointed by the President.

• Serve one-year terms.

• Present committee reports.

• Maintain records.

• Transfer records and funds upon leaving office.

• Attend PTO meetings.

A Committee Chair who fails to fulfill responsibilities may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board.

Article VI — Meetings

Section 1. General Meetings

The Executive Board establishes an annual calendar of meetings.

General meetings:

• Are typically held monthly from September through May.

• Occur at least three times annually.

• Are publicly announced.

Changes to meeting dates or times require at least five days' notice, except for the first September meeting.

Meeting agendas are prepared by the President with input from the Principal.

New business not previously considered may be referred to the Executive Board for further review.

Section 2. Executive Board Meetings

The Executive Board meets as needed or when called by the President.

A quorum consists of:

• Half of the Board members plus one.

Shared positions count as:

• One Board position.

• One vote.

Section 3. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by:

• The President, or

• A majority of Executive Board members.

Notice requirements:

• Executive Board meetings require sufficient advance notice.

• General meetings require at least 48 hours' notice.

Article VII — Finances

The fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

The Budget Committee:

• Is chaired by the Treasurer.

• Prepares a proposed budget before the end of the school year.

• Presents the budget for approval no later than the September meeting.

Budget approval requires ratification by at least 50% of the Executive Board.

The PTO:

• Shall not distribute earnings to members.

• May pay reasonable compensation for services.

• Shall comply with all IRS Section 501(c)(3) requirements.

Upon dissolution:

• Outstanding debts shall be paid.

• Remaining assets, with membership approval, shall benefit Ladera Elementary School or another TUSD educational institution if Ladera Elementary closes.

Article VIII — Bylaws and Standing Rules

Section 1. Bylaws

Each officer and committee chair shall become familiar with the bylaws before taking office.

Amendments:

• Must be submitted to the President.

• Require a two-thirds vote of members present at an Executive Board meeting.

• Require notice at the previous meeting or at least 30 days' written notice.

The Parliamentarian conducts a biennial review of the bylaws.

Section 2. Standing Rules

Standing Rules:

• May be adopted by a majority vote at any Executive Board meeting.

• May be amended by:

  • A two-thirds vote without prior notice, or

  • A simple majority vote when prior notice has been given.