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Chappaqua board begins first readings of fundraising and guest‑speaker policies amid debate over parent readers
Summary
Board members heard first readings of a revised fundraising policy to tighten approvals and limit student solicitation and a guest‑speaker policy that would require principal approval and restrict parent/caretaker readers to district library books; trustees debated whether to carve out K‑1/K‑2 parent readers and asked administrators to seek principal input at the next policy committee meeting.
At its June 17 meeting the board held first readings of two policy updates intended to clarify fundraising practices and to formalize procedures for guest speakers and externally sourced instructional materials.
On fundraising, administrators described two pathways: community fundraisers run by families or nonprofits and district‑associated fundraising that requires approval. The draft policy emphasizes that families are not required to contribute for student participation, clarifies how funds raised on behalf of the district are collected and distributed, and discourages students from soliciting peers. "Any students that are fundraising on behalf of the school, they have to be approved to do so by us," Dr. Ackerman said, and staff said in‑school fundraising should be passive (donation bins, not competitions or direct solicitation).
The guest‑speaker policy (policy 9080) would require materials distributed to or viewed by students to be submitted to the building principal in advance and says guest parent or caretaker readers must select books from district school libraries; outside experts seeking to use materials not in the library would need prior principal approval. Several board members urged more nuance for the youngest learners, asking the policy committee to consider a K‑1 or K‑2 carve‑out so parents can bring books from home for birthday or similar readings with advance notice. One board member said such interactions build community and identity, while administrators warned that the volume and logistics of reviewing materials could place an undue burden on principals and faculty.
Dr. Ackerman said the community culture and belonging team had recommended the current procedures and stressed concerns about placing library‑review responsibilities on principals and teachers. The superintendent and board agreed to invite building principals to the next policy committee meeting so they can provide data on the volume of outside materials and advise on workable procedures.
Next steps: both policies will be revised based on community and committee feedback and return for subsequent readings; administrators and principals will review logistical implications before the board’s second reading.
