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Board hears proposal to raise district donation-reporting threshold from $5,000 to $10,000
Summary
Policy KH revisions were discussed to set a $10,000 threshold for reporting and public acknowledgement of monetary gifts; staff and board members debated whether $5,000 or $10,000 is more appropriate and reviewed how large gifts have been handled historically.
The board reviewed proposed revisions to Policy KH, which would set a monetary threshold for when donations must be reported to the board and when gifts should be publicly acknowledged. The policy presenter said the recommended threshold is $10,000 to align with the district’s purchasing policy.
Policy presenter (identified in the meeting as Mr. Roehme/Romee) told the board that previously the policy had no reporting limit and that a prior public‑acknowledgement level was $5,000; the proposed change would make both reporting and public‑acknowledgement thresholds $10,000. The presenter said the $10,000 figure mirrors a $10,000 threshold used elsewhere in district purchasing rules and would prevent routine small donations (for example, $20 donations) from requiring board reporting.
Board members asked how frequently large donations occur and how money given through parent groups is handled. Staff responded that most fundraising comes through PTOs and activity accounts; donations to PTOs typically do not fall under district reporting because they go to the PTO rather than directly to the district. Staff provided a recent example of a substantial donor who previously funded artificial turf projects; that donor’s gift (cited by staff) totaled approximately $300,000 and was directed through appropriate accounts and project timelines.
Staff also noted that the Kirkwood School District Foundation, a 501(c)(3), commonly works with substantial donors to facilitate tax‑efficient donations and to coordinate project funding. Board members generally indicated support for aligning reporting and acknowledgement thresholds but asked staff to confirm legal and procedural details.
Ending: Staff said they would check with legal on specific questions, and the policy revision will return for further board consideration; no vote was taken at this meeting.
