9211 - DISTRICT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Ida Public School District

Bylaws & Policies

9211 - DISTRICT SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

The Board of Education appreciates the efforts of all organizations whose objectives are to enhance the educational experiences of District students, to help meet educational needs of students, and/or provide extra educational benefits not provided for, at the time, by the Board.

District support organizations are defined as any non-profit entity, group, or other organization formed and operating for the purpose of supporting District programs and approved by the Board. These programs may be educational to parents and/or children.

The District name shall not be used to promote the interests of any school support organization without the approval of the Board.

The Board recognizes that parent-teacher organizations and other school-related community organizations are channels through which school personnel, parents, and other citizens may discuss educational concerns, problems and needs and work together toward solutions.

Each District support organization shall work within the appropriate school setting and in cooperation with the Principal and other staff members.

District support organizations shall allow participation by parents, District staff, and members of the community. All meetings should be communicated to the school and be open to the public. District support organizations shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, marital status, age (except as authorized by law), religion, military status, ancestry, or genetic information which are classes protected by State and/or Federal law (collectively "protected classes"). Further, persons shall not be excluded from participation in outside support organizations based upon the extent or level of their past participation.

The following rules and procedures shall govern the working relationships between the Board, administration, and any District support organization:

	A.	District support organizations shall indemnify and hold the Board harmless from and against any and all claims and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to outside support organization acts and omissions in carrying out its activities. Outside support organizations shall purchase liability insurance (riders – self-insured) to cover such indemnification and to protect the outside support organization and Board against claims for damage or injury resulting from any act or omission outside the support organization. The amount of insurance coverage shall not be less than $1,000,000 and the outside support organization shall provide the Board with sufficient documentation demonstrating that the Board is named as an additional insured on the policy.

	B.	It shall be the responsibility of each District support organization to monitor its activities to assure compliance with Board policy.

	C.	Each District support organization will submit its bylaws to the Superintendent office for review and approval.

	D.	Each District support organization is encouraged to set goals that are consistent with those of the particular programs, activities or athletics being supported as articulated by the coach/advisor and/or athletic director of such program, activity or athletic event, to avoid duplication of effort and to maximize the benefit to the organization or group.

	E.	The activities of the District support organizations shall not involve the use of public funds and the District shall not assume responsibility for any purchases made on behalf of any support organization governed by this policy. The School District tax identification number shall not be used for District support organization purchases.

	F.	The time, date, purpose, location and conduct of all intrusive fund-raisers on District property shall have prior approval of the Board. District support organizations are encouraged to communicate their preferred activity dates to the Superintendent’s office as soon as possible as consideration for dates and facilities will be given on a first come, first served basis.

	G.	Each District support organization must abide by the policies and guidelines established for the use of District facilities and grounds. Projects that require any modification or alteration to District property must be pre-approved by the Superintendent/designee.

	H.	The Board permits one (1) fund-raiser per week per school that involve the sale of food items and/or beverages that are not compliant with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools regulations for consumption on campus during the school day by students.

		Other than approved non-compliant fundraisers, the food and/or beverages items to be sold for any other fund-raisers by student clubs and organizations, parent groups, or booster clubs and consumed on campus, shall comply with the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards, and also must be consistent with requirements set forth in Policy 8500 – Food Services.

		If approved, fund-raisers that involve the sale of food items or beverages to students on campus must be consistent with regulations established in Policy 8500, Food Services, pertaining to the sale of foods and beverages during food-service hours, whether those food items and beverages are compliant with, or an exception to, the current USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools nutrition standards.

	I.	Proceeds from District support organization fund-raisers shall not be commingled with a student activity or other Board accounts. Board employees who commingle such proceeds with a student activity or other Board account shall be subject to discipline.

	J.	The Superintendent will work with staff to develop administrative guidelines that require each District support organization's fund-raising activities be in compliance with Board policies and that the funds generated by such fund-raising activities and donated to the District are used for school-related projects that have the approval of the Superintendent and principal.

	K.	District support organizations are encouraged to obtain 501(c)(3) status so that community members may properly take tax deductions for donations to the organization.

	L.	School employees and school volunteers may not be compensated in any manner by District support organizations for their work on behalf of the District.

	M.	Donations from District support organizations must be made in accordance with Board Policy 7230 and any accompanying guidelines.

	N.	The Business Manager shall arrange to meet annually with District approved support organization treasurer to inform the organization of District accounting practices regarding support organizations.

M.C.L. 380.1272b
7 C.F.R. Parts 210 and 220

Revised 12/8/14
Revised 3/14/16