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Board reviews policy on parent support organizations; proposes rules for recognition, elections and financial oversight
Summary
Policy 7120 would require parent support groups to have bylaws, limits recognition to one group per school, impose a five‑year change moratorium, require 25 verified parent signatures on a notice of intent, and specify financial/verifications steps; staff recommended posting for feedback and adding assurance of training before ballot eligibility.
District staff presented draft Policy 7120 to regulate parent and school support organizations (PTAs, PTOs and similar groups), proposing standardized recognition, election and financial‑oversight requirements.
Under the draft, a parent organization must submit a written notice of intent to the superintendent that includes bylaws and 25 verified parent signatures (staff said signatures cannot be digital) to initiate a recognition petition. The application period for an upcoming school year would run between May 1 and Oct. 1, and an election would be by secret mail ballot; ballots are postage paid and the majority of votes determines recognition. The board retains final authority to recognize one parent support group per school and staff proposed a five‑year moratorium on switching recognition to reduce disruption.
The policy requires recognized organizations to provide tax‑exempt verification, sign an agreement with the district business administrator for financial oversight, and maintain minimum membership (at least 10 members) and committees (nominating and bylaws). Staff said the school pays for ballot mailing and emphasized the district will remain neutral during any election.
Board members raised the practical question of whether organizations must demonstrate financial training and accounting capacity before appearing on a ballot; staff recommended adding that assurance to the notice‑of‑intent requirement. The board also discussed how recently passed legislation (HB504k) on candidate disclosures could affect board eligibility and noted they would update related conflict‑of‑interest language later.
Staff recommended posting the draft policy and procedure for public feedback and returning with a recommendation from policy committee or bringing it forward at the all‑day meeting if further discussion is needed.
