- Westonka Public Schools
- Policies
- 5000 Students
POLICT 5211: STUDENT FUNDRAISING
Revised: October 5, 2020
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to address student fundraising efforts.
II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY
The school board recognizes a desire and a need by some student organizations for fundraising. The school board also recognizes a need for some constraint to prevent fundraising activities from becoming too numerous and overly demanding on employees, students and the general public.
III. DEFINITIONS
- “Student group or student organization” is a group or organization comprised of one or more current district students, the membership in which is limited to current district students and any district-assigned advisor.
- “District-sponsored” is a student group or student organization that (1) receives funding directly from the district; (2) has a teacher or other district employee assigned to and overseeing its activities; (3) is directly related to a class offered by the district (e.g. music, journalism, art or choir): or (4) is directly related to a district-sponsored athletic team.
- “Student activity” is a program, presentation or other event, other than a fundraising activity, conducted or sponsored by a district-sponsored student group or organization.
- “Fundraising activity” is any program or event conducted by or on behalf of a student group or student organization that has the primary purpose of raising money for the use of a student group or student organization to pay for any part of a student activity, or for approved donations as outline in Section V.E.5.
IV. RESPONSIBILITY
- The building administrators shall be responsible for developing recommendations to the superintendent that will result in a level of activity deemed acceptable by employees, parents and students.
- All fundraising activities must be approved in advance by the administration. Participation in non-approved activities shall be considered a violation of school district policy.
- The superintendent shall be responsible for providing coordination of student fundraising throughout the school district as deemed appropriate.
- The school district expects all students who participate in approved fundraising activities to represent the school, the student organization and the community in a responsible manner. All rules pertaining to student conduct and student discipline extend to student fundraising activities.
- The school district expects all employees who plan, supervise, coordinate, or participate in student fundraising activities to act in the best interests of the students and to represent the school, the student organization, and the community in a responsible manner.
V. FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES
- No student group or student organization, other than a district-sponsored student group or organization, may conduct a fundraising activity on district property without the express permission of the building principal or superintendent.
- Prior to conducting or sponsoring a fundraising activity, a districtsponsored student group or student organization must submit a written request to the building principal and receive pre-approval of the written request from the principal.
- The written request to conduct or sponsor a fundraising activity must contain the following:
- The name of the student group or student organization.
- A description of the proposed fundraising activity.
- The dates of fundraising.
- A statement identifying the need for and proposed use of funds to be raised by the fundraising activity.
- All necessary permits or forms or authorization necessary to conduct the fundraising activity (e.g. solicitation permits, work permits, certificates of insurance, parade permits).
- The names of students, employees and volunteers who may be coordinating the fundraising activity.
- The building principal’s decision regarding whether the fundraising activity will occur is final. The building principal may limit the number, location and length of fundraising activities that are approved. Limitations must be based on legitimate, school-related concerns. The building principals may deny a fundraising activity request due to past violations of this policy.
- Money or other resources raised by the fundraising activity must be:
- Used by the student group or student organization, or its members or advisor, to pay for necessary expenses incurred in connection with the fundraising activity;
- Used to pay for a student activity sponsored or conducted by any district-sponsored student group or student organization;
- Donated to the district;
- Used to purchase an item which then will be donated to the district; or
- Donated to a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization on behalf of the district-sponsored student group or student organization, only with the written consent of the building principal.
- Fundraising activities or student activities sponsored by student groups or student organizations must adhere to district policies, even if the fundraising activity or student activity is not conducted during regular school hours or on district property.
- Fundraising activities must not result in additional expense to the district.
- A student’s participation or lack of participation in a fundraising activity will not form the basis for determinations relating to the student’s participation in the district-sponsored student group or student organization or any student activity sponsored by the student group or student organization.
- Fundraising activities conducted on district property during the regular school day must be conducted in a manner that minimizes interference with the regular functioning of the school.
- Fundraising activities that involve food, if sold before school, during school or for 30 minutes after school in district buildings must meet current federal/state guidelines (See Policies 3550 Food Service and 5330 Wellness.
- Fundraising activities must be age-appropriate.
- Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action for an employee or student, or revocation of a volunteer’s permission to enter district property and provide services to the district. Disciplinary action could include suspension or expulsion for students. Disciplinary action could include suspension or termination for employees.
VI. ACCOUNTING OF FUNDRAISING FUNDS
Money or other resources raised by fundraising activities conducted by districtsponsored student groups or organizations becomes district property, designated for the used described on the written request to conduct a fundraiser. All such money is subject to the district’s accounting procedures.
VII. ANNUAL REPORT
The superintendent shall report to the school board, at least annually, on the nature and scope of student fundraising activities approved pursuant to this policy.
Legal References:
- Minn. Stat. § 120A.20 (Age Limitations; Pupils)
- Minn. Stat. § 123B.09, Subd. 8 (Duties)
- Minn. Stat. § 123B.36 (Authorized Fees)
Adopted: July 13, 2009