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Board debates alcohol, banners and gift language in gifts-and-donations policy
Summary
Board members discussed proposed changes to the district's gifts and donations procedure, focusing on whether empty alcohol bottles, banners and other business‑branded items should be allowed at school events or fundraisers; staff will draft revised language for another discussion.
The Prosser School District board spent substantial time reviewing proposed revisions to its gifts-and-donations policy and procedure, centering debate on whether alcohol-related items or branding should appear on school premises or in school fundraising materials.
Why it matters: Prosser's business community includes wineries and other entities that commonly donate auction items, banners or sponsorships. The board's policy choices will determine whether those types of donations can be displayed on district property, appear in fundraising baskets or be recognized on banners at athletic and family events.
Board discussion and staff direction
Board members and staff discussed multiple scenarios: empty bottles or images of alcohol used as display items in gift baskets; gift certificates versus physical bottles; banners or sponsorship signs placed by booster clubs on athletic fields; and how the district's policy interacts with booster‑club fundraising that operates off campus.
Debate highlights included concerns about consistency and avoiding a “gray area” that would treat some legal businesses differently from others. One board member said a clear, black‑and‑white rule — accepting monetary donations but not visible alcohol displays or alcohol‑branded banners on school premises — would remove ambiguity. Student representative Alexander told the board that students and parents he surveyed preferred not to have bottles or alcohol imagery visible at school auctions and events, noting it would send a conflicting message alongside the district's preventive campaigns.
No final policy vote was taken. The board asked staff to rework the paragraph language (including limiting visible alcohol displays and specifying acceptable forms of donation, such as coupons or gift certificates) and to return the policy for further discussion and potential action.
Ending
Staff will present revised wording at a future meeting; in the meantime, booster clubs were advised they can still raise funds off campus and that cash donations remain acceptable when they do not include visible alcohol promotion.
