Policy committee adopts CABE model fundraising policy, sends it to full Bristol board

The Bristol School District policy committee voted to adopt the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) model for Policy 1324 on fundraising and forwarded the policy to the full board for review.

Committee members said the district’s existing fundraising rules and accompanying regulation are outdated — the regulation dates to 1972 and the policy was last revised in 2000 — and can impede opportunities for teams and arts programs to raise funds amid tight budgets. The CABE model policy would permit school-sponsored fundraising subject to regulations developed by the superintendent and would bar students from soliciting door-to-door.

A committee member summarized the model by noting it allows the superintendent to create implementing procedures while the board sets policy-level limits. The committee also discussed the need for operational safeguards: the athletic director would review and approve fundraisers for sports programs, and items bought through approved fundraising would remain district property, not private property of teams or individuals. Committee members raised concerns that more successful boosters could create disparities between programs; speakers said those operational details would be addressed in regulations.

The model policy text cited by presenters states that fundraising must comply with state and federal laws and referenced Connecticut General Statute 10-215. The committee’s vote to adopt the CABE model policy passed at the policy meeting and the item will be considered by the full Board of Education at a later meeting.

Next steps: the superintendent’s office will be authorized to draft the implementing regulation and present it to the board as part of the full-board review.