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Board approves booster‑funded stipends for extracurricular positions; trustees raise equity and sustainability concerns
Summary
Trustees approved two stipend positions funded by booster clubs after debate over fairness, oversight and long‑term funding; administration said booster funds must be deposited with the district and cover salary plus fringe benefits.
The Lexington‑Richland School District Five board on Sept. 8 approved two personnel items funded by booster clubs, after a discussion in which trustees raised equity, oversight and long‑term sustainability concerns.
An earlier amendment moved two employment items from the executive‑session exhibit to open consideration; trustees then approved line item 19 (Read to Succeed tutoring) and line item 18 (booster‑funded extracurricular positions) separately. Board member Miss Huddle moved the amendment to make items public; the board voted to move items 18 and 19 onto the action agenda and later approved each line item 6–0.
The nut graf: Administration said the district will only approve positions funded entirely by booster clubs after the boosters complete required financial registration and deposit the full year’s funds — including fringe‑benefit costs — with the district; trustees worried wealthier booster clubs could create unequal offerings between schools and asked how the district would respond if booster funding ended.
Dr. Turner, an administrator, explained that any position whose cost exceeds the standard budget or salary schedule is presented to the board and that boosters must route funding through finance so the district can hold funds in a separate account. Chief Financial Officer Heather Tucker said booster clubs must provide the stipend and the fringe benefits so the general fund does not pay for those positions.
Several trustees warned of equity issues among schools with different booster capacities and asked how duties might overlap with existing administrative or extracurricular staff. Board members also discussed the district’s standard classification: athletic director is an administrative position while assistant athletic director is an extracurricular stipend under the district’s scale. Trustees asked administration to return with clearer guidance on long‑term sustainability and equity.
Ending: The board approved the two items by 6–0 votes. Administration said any future booster‑funded positions must meet the same registration, funding and hiring processes.
