Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Fundraising topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves hundreds of fundraisers; trustees call for clearer process and spending accountability
Summary
The board approved elementary, middle and high school fundraisers for 2025–26 but trustees said the district should standardize forms, require clearer budgets and track whether prior‑year funds were spent as intended; administrators said roughly 130–140 requests were in the packet.
The White County Board of Education approved a slate of fundraising requests for the 2025–26 school year June 12 but several trustees urged clearer procedures and better accountability for raised funds.
Administrators said the packet contained roughly 130–140 fundraiser requests covering elementary, middle and high school programs, athletics and booster organizations. The board voted to approve elementary, middle and high school fundraisers in separate motions. Staff said some requests are placeholders that allow teams to proceed if they advance in competition, while others are small in‑house sales.
Board concerns and staff response: Board members said existing account balances listed in the packet varied widely — some accounts showed balances in the tens of thousands — and asked why some accounts are not spending down money raised year‑to‑year. Trustees asked for a single, standardized fundraising form, clearer description of intended expenditures (for example, specific equipment and cost estimates), and year‑to‑year reporting showing funds raised and how they were spent.
A district administrator said principals will be asked to tighten review at the building level so fundraising is more specific and transparent; finance staff also recommended evidence of prior expenditures and clearer budgets for fundraising requests going forward.
Why it matters: Fundraisers supplement school programming, but trustees said donors and community members expect transparency and that funds be used for stated purposes. The board signaled it wants stronger oversight to ensure money raised is spent for intended items rather than banked indefinitely.
Next steps: District staff will work with principals and the athletic director to standardize the fundraising form, require evidence of prior spending when appropriate, and present an improved packet next year.
