PTO Overview & Leadership
What is the PTO?
The Encinal Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a group of volunteers who strive to build a strong sense of community at Encinal and provide enriching programs that extend the curriculum of the Menlo Park City School District. By joining the PTO, you become part of the network of parents and teachers who are working to enhance our children’s educational experience and social development. We are committed to supporting the children, parents, teachers, staff, and programming, all of which makes Encinal excellent!
Funds to support all PTO-sponsored programs are generated through volunteer-coordinated fundraisers, primarily the One Community Campaign (OCC).
PTO EXECUTIVE BOARD 2025-2026
President: Lindsey Sikes
Vice President: Francesca Baraggioli
Treasurer: Chelsea Marinelli
Financial Secretary: Prachi Parvin
Auditor: Anand Gupta
Recording Secretary: Emily Bhatia
Community Events Co-Chairs: Stacey Shirer & Jessica Kohli
Parliamentarian: Eleanor de Jong
Assemblies: Allison Jagtiani
Home-Room Parent (HRP) Coordinator: Leah Wolf
ENCINAL PTO BOARD POSITION DESCRIPTIONS
President:
Represents and heads Encinal PTO, as the principal executive officer, subject to control of the Executive Board, and the direction of the membership. Represents the PTO on the Menlo Park City School District Council. Selects and appoints the Parliamentarian and all standing and special committees chairpersons subject to approval of the Executive Board. Serves as an ex-officio member of all Encinal PTO committees. Provides oversight and direction to committees and initiatives. Presides over all PTO Executive Board and General Membership meetings. Automatically becomes Parliamentarian after serving the President term.
Vice President:
Performs the duties of the President in absence of the President. Perform duties assigned by the President or Executive Board; represents the Encinal PTO on the Menlo Park City School District Council; participates on the Encinal PTO nominating committee. Provides oversight and direction to committees and initiatives. Automatically becomes President after serving the Vice President term.
Treasurer:
Keeps record of all receipts and expenditures of the organization. Prepares annual school year budget with input from President, Vice President, and Financial Secretary. Prepares and files all necessary reports and forms required by the PTO including insurance and tax returns required by government agencies. Reports on financials at PTO meetings. Works closely with the financial secretary, as described in the Bylaws.
Financial Secretary:
Works closely with the treasurer to keep records of income, receipts, and distributions; and other responsibilities described in the Bylaws. Automatically becomes Treasurer after serving the Financial Secretary term.
Recording Secretary:
Responsible for recording the minutes of the monthly Executive Board meetings and the PTO General Meetings. Coordinates correspondence as needed.
Auditor:
Responsible for auditing the PTO financial records twice per year. Prepares and presents reports of such audits to the Executive Board.
Parliamentarian:
Attends all Executive Board and General Membership meetings and give necessary advice in parliamentary procedure as requested. Presides over the Nominating Committee as described in the PTO Bylaws. Conducts the election of the officers at the last General Membership meeting of the school year. Reviews Standing Rules and Bylaws annually and updates as necessary.
Home Room Parent (HRP) Coordinator:
Responsible for Home Room Parent selection for each classroom at the beginning of the school year. Responsible for training and coordination of Home Room Parents. Oversees communication between the Home Room Parents and the Executive Board.
Community Events Chair:
Responsible for oversight of PTO efforts to build a sense of community among all students and families, particularly through the Fall and Spring Encinal Family Community Events, as well as our beloved Movie nights throughout the year.