Copy of 1324 Solicitation of Funds

Book                        Policy Manual

Section                     0000/1000 - Community/Board Operations

Title                       Solicitation of Funds

Code                        1324

Status                      Active

Adopted                     March 14, 2000

Last Revised                February 13, 2019




                                               SOLICITATION OF FUNDS


The objective of this policy is to provide the acceptance criteria and application method for soliciting gifts, grants,
and bequests conducted by school-sanctioned parent organizations, district employees, and students of the
Colchester Public Schools.

The Colchester Board of Education recognizes that certain types of fundraising activities will enhance the
relationship between school and community and will contribute to the improvement of the school program. The
Board also recognizes that businesses, cultural, and community organizations hold an interest in the quality of
public education and, from time to time, offer to support that interest with a variety of contributions to the school
district. School districts, however, are public institutions fully supported by taxes and the Board has a clear
responsibility to protect students, staff, and their families from exploitation by special interests including, but not
limited to, economic, environmental, and political exploitation. The Board also recognizes that exploitation works
both ways. A potential donor may feel unduly pressured, either directly or indirectly, when solicited to contribute
to a program promoted by a school system. Therefore the Board of Education establishes the following
acceptance criteria.

Solicitation of Funds from and by Students, Staff and School Sanctioned Parent Organizations

    1. There shall be sufficient educational or financial benefits to the school and/or students, either directly or
       indirectly, to justify the fundraising activity.

    2. Fundraising shall be in good taste and appropriate for the school district.
   3. Any Fundraising activities should be pre-approved by building or district administrator.
  4. 3. Fundraising shall be limited to Board-approved activities; activities sponsored by faculty, students, and
         school-related parent organizations for nonprofit school benefits; or educational and recreational activities
         sponsored by agencies of the town government.

 5. 4. Solicitation of funds from businesses or other outside organizations shall be with the understanding that
         public recognition for contributions shall be appropriate and balanced.

 6. 5. Funds raised from the activity will be applied to a specific school system-related project.

 7. 6. The fundraising mechanics or procedures will not unacceptably burden staff or subject the school to
         unnecessary risks or responsibility as determined by the administration.

  8. 7. Instructional time will not be used to conduct or promote fundraising activities except in cases where it is
         an integral part of the curriculum.
    8. School employees will not be approached during school hours for the purpose of soliciting funds or selling
       goods.

    9. Handling and accounting of fundraising material shall be the responsibility of the sponsoring group, not the
       school or staff.

The following additional criteria shall be applied to solicitation by students:

    1. Elementary school students will not participate in door-to-door sales or canvassing.

    2. Elementary or middle school fundraising will not result in profit or advertisement for any commercial
       enterprise except when profits are realized in conjunction with the following events:

           A. Annual all-school fundraising events of one week or less (e.g., fairs, bazaars).

           B. Fundraising activities designed to acquire funds for approved field trips.

          C. Class pictures.

    3. Under no circumstances shall students be required to solicit and no mandatory quotas shall be imposed
       upon them.

    4. Commercial enterprise for private profit will be allowed at the high school only for the purchase of goods
       and services deemed necessary by the Superintendent for normal student activities.

    5. Activities related to fundraising shall not occur during normal school hours.

Application Procedure

    1. All requests to conduct fundraising shall be submitted in writing at least 15 days prior to the proposed
       activity through the Superintendent.

    2. The request shall identify the name of the school, name of the individual submitting the request, name of
       sponsoring individual or organization, fundraising activity dates, purposes of the fundraising activity,
       nature of the fundraising activity, anticipated expenses and profits.

    3. At his or her option, the Superintendent may refer specific cases to the Board for decision.

Staff Funds

    1. The participation of an employee in “flower funds,” “sickness and bereavement funds,” “anniversary funds”
       and the like shall be a matter of individual discretion.

    2. Staff funds are exempt from the listed criteria.