9215 - SCHOOL SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS (SSO)

The Board believes that school support organizations (SSOs) provide invaluable assistance to the students of this District and its programs and 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. The Board encourages parents and staff to participate in such organizations.

Definitions

For purposes of this policy, the following terms are defined as follows:

SSOs: include the following: Booster Club, Foundation, Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Parent Teacher Support Association, or any other nongovernmental organization or group of persons whose primary purpose is to support a District, school, school club, or academic, arts, athletic or social activities related to a school, that collects or receives money, materials, property or securities from students, parents or members of the general public.

A group of people who merely request that students, parents, or members of the general public make donations to a District, school, school club, or academic, arts, athletic or social activity related to a school or assist in the raising of funds for a specified purpose under the sponsorship of a school employee where the funds are turned over to the school to be used for the specific purpose for which the funds were raised, shall not be considered a SSO.

Donation: Any gift or contribution of money, materials, property or securities from any nongovernmental source received by a school official or employee for the benefit of a District, school, school club, or academic, arts, athletic or social activity related to a school.

Internal School Funds: Any and all money received and accounted for at individual schools by school administration, and specifically include, but are not limited to: (a) Any donation or grant made to the school, a school club, or any academic, arts, athletic or social activity related to a school; (b) Funds for cafeteria services operated at the school; (c) Fees collected by the school; (d) Funds transferred to the local school from the school board that are to be accounted for at the local school level; (d) Funds raised through cooperative agreements with outside organizations; (e) Rental fees charged outside entities for use of school facilities; and (f) Student activity funds.

The Superintendent is authorized to provide support and assistance as appropriate upon the request of such an organization.

Prior Approval Process

Before any new SSO may begin soliciting, raising, or collecting money, materials, property, or securities to support a District, school, school club or any academic, arts, athletic or social activity or event related to a school, the SSO shall meet with the Superintendent.

1. The SSO’s status as a nonprofit organization, foundation or a chartered member of a nonprofit organization or foundation; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall require that the organization be a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code, codified in 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3);
2. The goals and objectives of the SSO; and
3. The telephone number, address and position of each officer of the organization.

Limitation of Liability

SSOs shall indemnify and hold the Board harmless from and against any and all claims and causes of action arising out of or related to the SSOs' acts and omissions in carrying out their activities. The District, Board, or any Board staff member shall not incur any liability for the recognition of an SSO or the SSO's failure to safeguard school support organization funds.

Required Compliance Measures

Any organization described in this policy must obtain an advance written cooperative agreement from the Superintendent before using any of the District's logos or name as well as the District's or school's slogans

Revised 11/20/23

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