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Committee updates booster‑group and raffle policies; clarifies when nonprofit status is required
Summary
The district approved redrafted policies defining officially recognized booster groups and tightened rules on raffles and games of chance, aligning with state law; the changes clarify when parent groups must register as nonprofits and restrict student handling of raffle ticket sales.
The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee on May 21 approved updated policy language governing booster/parent organizations, raffles and games of chance, and related participation rules.
Legal counsel’s redlined revisions clarified that informal parent groups may continue grassroots support activities while larger or long‑running fundraising efforts that involve raffles or games of chance will require formal organization and appropriate permitting; the policy says groups seeking to conduct higher‑scale fundraising should have nonprofit status or be officially recognized. Committee members said the changes are intended to preserve typical volunteer activities—selling concessions, organizing small fundraisers—while ensuring compliance with Mass. gaming and nonprofit regulations.
The committee approved policy KBE (relationship with parent/booster organizations) after debate about language that some feared might unintentionally forbid informal fundraising. One member asked whether a large community road race or a donated set of jackets would need to flow through district accounts; counsel and administrators said donations can be accepted for a designated purpose, but raffles and games of chance carry additional regulatory requirements.
On raffles and games of chance (policy JJE), the committee confirmed that students may not legally sell raffle tickets themselves and that adult volunteers or properly permitted organizations must handle cash and ticketing. The policy clarifies permitted student roles (non‑monetary assistance such as setup and cleanup) and references state gaming statutes that limit student participation in ticket sales.
Committee members asked administration to distribute the new policy language to existing booster and parent groups and to work with any groups unfamiliar with the updated requirements so there are no surprises during the next school year. "We want to keep the small, informal traditions while making sure larger activities that require permits are managed correctly," one member said.
The changes passed after sequential votes: the KBE amendment passed with recorded opposition/abstentions and JJE and related raffle policies passed by voice vote (JJE unanimous). The administration will notify known groups and include the policy in the district handbook.
