Graduate warns board against reallocating class funds; cites $6,000 in class-of-2016 account

Margaret Keithline, a 2016 New Britain High School graduate, told the board during the April 7 public-comment period that she and classmates discovered the district is reviewing a process to reallocate alumni class-account money into a general student-activity fund.

Keithline said the class of 2016 has more than $6,000 in its account from money raised for reunions and other alumni activities. "In my communications with Mr. Pierce, he cited best accounting practices as a primary force" for closing accounts, she said, and she told the board she reviewed board policy on student activity funds (policy 3403) and Connecticut General Statute 10-237.

Keithline said New Britain's policy does not specify a time frame for when funds must be used and that several other nearby districts (she named Avon, Ledyard and Simsbury) permit funds to be maintained at least until a first-class reunion. She asked the board to develop a clear policy going forward and to refrain from applying any policy retroactively to alumni accounts.

She also raised a procedural concern: the staff member asked to sign on behalf of her class was not the adviser who served when the funds were raised, and she said she had not seen documentation of any approvals or a board review when donations over $500 are involved (she cited board policy 3280 on donations).

Keithline asked the board to find a way to let her class use the money for its intended purpose and to avoid retroactive absorption of previously raised funds.

Board members did not take immediate action during the meeting; the matter was presented as public comment and Keithline said she will share comparative policies from other districts with staff by email.