Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Booster Organizations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School committee discusses draft booster-organization policy to increase oversight of fundraising groups
Summary
Committee members debated a draft policy and guidance that would require booster organizations to register, maintain bylaws and sign an affiliation agreement with the district; the committee sought further outreach with booster groups before voting.
The School Committee discussed a draft policy to clarify the relationship between Springfield Public Schools and booster organizations and to require basic accountability for booster-run fundraising and activities.
Attorney Ian Keefe said the draft policy draws a clear legal line between the district and booster organizations: "the booster organizations are separate legal entities distinct from the district," he told the committee, and the policy would require boosters that accept more than $5,000 to register, maintain bylaws and enter an affiliation agreement.
Vice Chair Monroe Naylor said the measure responds to reports and parental questions about how some booster funds have been handled and that the committee has been working on the issue for roughly a year in subcommittees. Naylor said the policy is not intended to hamper booster activities but to add sensible checks and lines of accountability: "it really gives us the ability to now have the conversation with folks, have conversation with the schools, make sure that ADs and coaches are aware that we're having this conversation," she said.
Committee members requested outreach and a town-hall style meeting with booster organizations before the board votes on a final policy to ensure the new requirements do not unintentionally limit well-intentioned parent groups.
No vote was taken; the item remains a discussion and will return for further consideration after stakeholder outreach.
