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Board advances booster‑club policy as first reading after extended debate on checks, volunteers and donations
Summary
After lengthy discussion the board approved first reading of a revised booster‑club policy addressing 501(c)(3) documentation, required financial disclosures, volunteer screening and emergency volunteer procedures; the policy will be effective next school year.
The Board of Education took first‑reading action May 20 on a revised booster‑club policy (policy 8.81.1) that sets documentation and transparency requirements for booster organizations, clarifies volunteer screening expectations and establishes procedures for handling donations.
Policy committee and board members discussed multiple drafts and amendments during public debate. The final language approved for first reading requires booster organizations to provide an IRS determination or affirmation letter (501(c)(3)) annually to the superintendent or the director of athletics and activities by July 1 and to provide financial disclosures including bank statements and the organization's Form 990 (or equivalent tax filing). The policy also requires booster clubs to create and maintain an approved volunteer spreadsheet and asked that volunteer applicants complete the district's online volunteer application in accordance with board policy 3.53.1. The board added language permitting emergency volunteers at the discretion of the director of athletics and activities but barred any emergency volunteer from unsupervised access to students or money and limited emergency volunteer status to no more than two occurrences per individual; emergency volunteers must be recorded on the booster club's approved roster.
Board members also discussed whether the policy should forbid booster participation at off‑site events that include alcohol; the administration noted alcohol prohibitions on school property are already in effect and cautioned that enforcing off‑site restrictions would be difficult. The board agreed the policy language would apply to district‑sponsored events and district property and left off‑campus activity guidance to administration and case‑by‑case review.
Board member Amy Levy moved approval of the policy as amended and Megan Miller seconded; the motion carried on first reading in a 4‑2‑3 vote (four in favor, two opposed, three abstentions or absences recorded in the roll call context). The policy will become effective in the 2025‑26 school year, and administration said it would provide guidance to booster clubs ahead of implementation.
Ending: Staff will publish the amended policy, notify current booster clubs of requirements and provide a timeline for compliance ahead of the 2025‑26 school year.
