Lakota board adopts manual to standardize parent, booster and support organizations

On July 21 the Lakota Board of Education approved a new Lakota Sport Support Organization Manual intended to standardize how booster clubs, PTOs and other school support organizations operate and interact with district staff. The board voted to adopt the manual by roll call (5–0).

The manual is designed to align with Board Policy 9211 and provide practical guidance for groups that collect funds, pay staff or use district facilities. It contains sample bylaws, appendices with sample payment processes, and guidance on facility-use fees and organizational renewal.

Board members said the manual’s primary goal is to protect volunteer organizations and their funds by offering clear, consistent procedures rather than prescriptive rules. The board described the document as a “starting point,” noting that about 170 people had review/comment access during the drafting process and that the district plans to revisit the manual annually and hold information sessions for building administrators and parent groups.

Why it matters: Booster clubs and parent organizations regularly raise and manage funds for extracurricular programs; differences in practice across buildings previously created inconsistent expectations and occasional problems. The manual aims to reduce financial errors, align payment processes for staff support, and present sample materials to help new groups get started.

Board members asked for continued outreach, suggested a future in‑person session for building leaders to walk through implementation, and said the manual will remain flexible as new questions arise. After discussion, the board approved the manual and thanked the support groups for their contributions to the draft.

Vote: Miss Casper — Yes; Miss French — Yes; Mr. D — Yes; Mr. Horton — Yes; Miss Schaefer — Yes.