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Jordan School District moves to split fundraiser policy by school level, limits school-held charity funds to $10,000
Summary
Board and staff reviewed a comprehensive rewrite of administrative policy AA417 that splits fundraiser rules by elementary, middle and high school, clarifies "odd jobs" service activities, bans door-to-door sales, and limits funds a school may directly retain for local charitable use to $10,000.
District leaders and the board spent extended time in study session on June 9 reviewing a rewrite of Administrative Policy AA417 on fundraising that would split the rule into three level-specific policies (elementary, middle and high school) and add new limits and clarifications.
Dr. Godfrey told the board the rewrite aims to align practice with policy, keep children safe during fundraising activities and bring clarity to long-standing but inconsistent practice. Among the principal changes discussed: splitting the policy by school level so elementary, middle and high schools have tailored language; a limit allowing schools to retain up to $10,000 for direct school-administered charitable assistance with any excess directed to an approved third-party nonprofit (examples discussed included Jordan Education Foundation or approved local needs such as "Sub for Santa"); explicit guidance that door-to-door sales are discouraged and students should not miss class without permission; and a formal odd-jobs category in which students perform services (with a requirement that at least one elected/appointed student representative participate and wear an identifying sweater for odd-job groups).
Board members asked for clarified language on multiple points: whether PTA memory books count against fundraiser limits (staff proposed treating the PTA memory book as a distinct PTA activity that does not count against the school's four fundraisers); how to handle unsolicited parental donations (staff said monetary donations should be recorded through the school office); whether online payment platforms' processing fees would be absorbed by the district or the vendor (staff explained fees vary by platform and schools can choose options); and whether Jordan Education Foundation could administer school-directed funds exceeding the $10,000 cap (staff answered yes, provided the foundation administers distribution).
Clarity on middle-school rules was a particular focus: the draft keeps a smaller cap on total fundraisers for middle and elementary schools to reduce family burden, recognizes a PTA memory-book carve-out, and confirms that certain odd-job service activities are intended as service (not sales).
The board requested revised redline language to address small drafting issues (monetary-donation wording, explicit permitted exceptions such as Sub for Santa/local needs, and clear assembly scheduling rules) and asked staff to post the updated draft in advance of the August business meeting. Staff also committed to targeted training for advisors and athletic/activity directors to ensure the new policy affects practice as intended.
No formal policy adoption occurred in this meeting; the board will review the revised drafts and a posted redline before formal action.
Staff indicated they would post updated policy language on the Friday before the August board meeting and roll out advisor training with a goal of implementing the revised rules at the start of the school year.
