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Board splits on donations: Webster County Board to revise policy after contentious fundraising debate
Summary
A board member warned donations solicitations risk mishandled funds and refused to approve donation items; staff read draft administrative language to bar cash-only solicitation and require product/service exchange; the donations items passed 3–2 and staff will issue a public-comment draft.
During the Sept. 22 Webster County Board of Education meeting a board member objected to broad solicitation of cash donations by student organizations and said they would not vote to approve donation items under the current practice.
"I do not agree with soliciting that passion as a school system... I will not vote anymore for donations," the board member said, citing past incidents and a perceived potential for mishandling funds.
District staff responded that all donations should be logged and that request forms can be clarified. A staff member read a draft administrative guideline into the record: "Student staff organizations or affiliates shall not solicit cash checks or any type of funds without providing a product or service in return," listing examples such as raffles, car washes and approved merchandise.
Board members asked for time to refine the language. The staff member said they would prepare a draft for public comment at the next meeting. On the specific donation items at the front of the packet the board recorded a 3–2 vote in favor; the rest of the consent agenda (fundraisers, payment of bills, facilities) then passed on voice vote.
The board did not finalize policy language at the meeting; staff said they would put a revised draft out for the required comment period so the board and community could review changes before any policy or administrative-guideline adoption.
