Hoquiam Elementary PTO Board Responds to Questions About Finances

The Hoquiam Elementary PTO board is responding to questions and accusations regarding the organization’s finances, saying the issue involves unsold fundraising inventory and a disputed vendor bill rather than missing money.

In a statement from the 2025–2026 PTO board, officers said the organization ordered a large quantity of World’s Finest Chocolate Mint Meltaways at the request of multiple people. However, sales fell short of expectations, and the company reportedly declined to accept the unsold chocolates back, leaving the PTO responsible for the remaining inventory.

According to the board, profits from the fundraising effort were used to cover the cost of returning more than half of the original order of variety-bar boxes.

The board also addressed a reported $12,000 bill that entered collections and was subsequently directed to the Hoquiam School District.

The board said the billing was rerouted from the PTO to the district during the collections process and described the situation as a clerical error outside its control. Officers said they are working to resolve the issue and establish a payment plan.

The board maintains that unsold inventory, a lower starting balance, and the costs associated with the fundraiser do not establish that money is missing or that funds were intentionally mismanaged.

The statement comes after PTO members raised questions about missing treasurer reports, the organization's current financial position, and the outstanding vendor bill.

The board said it welcomes requests to review meeting documents, including treasurer reports. It also said an updated inventory list would be available soon as the remaining items are moved to one location at the district's request while the matter is resolved.

According to the board, any remaining inventory will be given to the new PTO being formed so the incoming organization has supplies and fundraising items to work with.

The board emphasized that its work has focused on supporting students, staff, and the school community, and expressed disappointment that the volunteers' intentions and integrity have been questioned.

The board's statement also disclosed that it discovered the existing PTO had been dissolved by the Washington Secretary of State in February 2025.

According to the board, the current officers were not notified because dissolution notices were sent to personal addresses rather than the school.

The board said the organization's status, combined with the planned transition to new leadership as students and families move on, has contributed to the decision to hand over remaining inventory and allow a new group of parents to establish its own direction.

The circumstances surrounding the dissolution and its implications for the organization's current operations have not been independently verified.

The outgoing board said it hopes the transition will allow incoming parents to bring fresh ideas, establish their own leadership team, and continue supporting students and school activities.

The statement stressed the importance of transparency and accountability while asking the community to consider the circumstances surrounding the fundraiser and billing dispute before drawing conclusions about the volunteers involved.

The board closed by thanking the community for its support and wishing the incoming PTO success as it begins a new chapter.

The statement was signed by the Hoquiam Elementary 2025–2026 PTO board.