Money left over from collection...

Mado

Hi,

I made a leavers book for the year 6 in my son's class.
I made it in 2 sizes as I wanted the bigger format but was aware that cost could be an issue, but in the end, only 2 went for the smaller one.
I offered it to parents to buy at the listed price and most have taken this up.
Now there was a "bulk" discount of 10%, which covered the shipping costs and a book for the teacher, but after a little research I found a 25% off code on the net which worked. There is also a separate modest contribution for a poster for the teacher. (at cost, no miraculous discount there)
So now, provided they all actually pay (some still haven't) I am left with around £40.

I'm thinking of buying a general gift for the staff room with that (teas, coffees and dishwasher tablets type of stuff that will keep) and telling the parents after I have done it rather than offer to refund everyone a few pounds.

Would you feel annoyed if you had given money for a book or a gift and found out someone spent it without offering the choice?

pigpen

No.. so long as it went back into the school I don't see an issue.

jenhug

i'd rather have the choice of where my money was going to be honest.

joeyp

Me neither.
Another thing you might consider doing with the left over money is to buy party food and drink for the Year 6's for their last day (if the school agrees!)
That way the children still benefit

mrcow

I'd tell you to keep it considering all the trouble you've gone to. How much does the £40 work out per head?

Spend it as you've said by all means - although the teachers don't normally buy dishwasher stuff, so perhaps stick to coffee/biscuits etc?

Person_one

Are the year 6's having a leaver's party or trip? If so, put the money towards that. It was collected for those children so they should benefit from it.

Don't keep it! Hopefully mrcow was joking there!

poet123

When we had money left from a leavers collection we arranged for the local bakery to deliver cakes/home made biscuits for the staff as a goodbye present on the last day of term. They loved it.

Mado

mrcow wrote: »

I'd tell you to keep it considering all the trouble you've gone to. How much does the £40 work out per head?

Spend it as you've said by all means - although the teachers don't normally buy dishwasher stuff, so perhaps stick to coffee/biscuits etc?

There are only 14 parents who have bought the book (small cohort!)
There was a collection a few years ago and the parents bought a dishwasher for the staff instead of teachers presents at the end of the year, so I know they will use it!
I just don't want to buy too much perishable stuff as it will sit over the summer.

Also, I am hoping they will all pay but it's not unheard of that some *forget* which would make the refunding tricky.

Person_one wrote: »

Are the year 6's having a leaver's party or trip? If so, put the money towards that. It was collected for those children so they should benefit from it.

Don't keep it! Hopefully mrcow was joking there!

I wouldn't dream of keeping it.
But I have quite litterally spend a large number of hours on this and I have had to ask over and over for some parents input in the book so I feel that I've earned myself the right to make an executive decision!

tankgirl1

Everywhere I've worked for, the coffee, tea and (occasional) biscuits come for free!

So I would rather see it going towards a leaving party snack-fest for the year 6 class lol! £40 could but a lotta cakes, crisps and fizzy

mrcow

Person_one wrote: »

Don't keep it! Hopefully mrcow was joking there!

I meant that if I was one of the parents concerned, I'd probably just say keep my share.

Person_one

mrcow wrote: »

I meant that if I was one of the parents concerned, I'd probably just say keep my share.

Ah fair enough. I probably would too but it still wouldn't be appropriate.