Series 3000: OPERATIONS, FINANCE, AND PROPERTY

3100 General Operations

3106 Booster Clubs, PTOs, and Other Support Groups

The Board recognizes the important role of parent/guardian groups, booster clubs, parent/guardian-teacher organizations (“PTOs”), and other organizations that support District programs and activities (“support groups”). This Policy clarifies the relationship between the District and support groups.

A. General Rules

1. A support group must comply with applicable laws, Policies, administrative guidelines, and internal procedures.
2. A support group is required to submit to the District Form 3106-F annually, whether a new or existing support group.
3. A support group will indicate on Form 3106-F whether it has completed the criteria to be designated as an external support group, as defined below. The Superintendent or designee, in his or her sole discretion, may designate a support group as an internal or external support group based on information provided and as defined below.

B. Internal Support Groups

1. An internal support group is a group of individuals, including parents/guardians, community members, and advisors, which is approved to operate within the District (e.g., internally conducted class or club fundraisers). An internal support group’s activities require prior written approval of the Superintendent or designee.
2. Funds raised by an internal support group are public funds that must be deposited with the District, and any related expenditure must be approved by the Superintendent or designee.
3. The Board may revoke the approval of an internal support group at any time.

C. External Support Groups

1. An external support group is a group, separate from the District, that supports the District’s programs and activities (e.g., booster clubs, both athletic and non-athletic, and PTOs). Unless the District agrees in writing, an external support group’s activities are not District sponsored. 
2. Funds raised by an external support group are not public funds and may not be held by, or deposited with, the District. An external support group must maintain a separate bank account and adopt written accounting procedures.
3. The District strongly encourages external support groups to seek the advice of legal counsel and form a separate legal entity.
4. The Superintendent or designee may request informational documents for verification purposes, including its accounting procedures, bylaws, insurance, and state or federal filings. The District’s request and review of documentation is not an endorsement of its accuracy or legal sufficiency.
5. An external support group is prohibited from using the District’s tax identification or employer identification number.
6. An external support group is not an agent of the District and may not represent that it is an agent of, or legally related to, the District.
7. An external support group may not represent or suggest that the District sponsors, endorses, or approves a fundraiser, annual participation fee, or solicitation without the District’s written consent.

D. Violations 

1. If a support group violates this Policy, the District may:
2. prohibit the group from using District facilities, soliciting funds on District property and at District-sponsored events, or using the District’s name and logo; or
3. take any other action deemed appropriate by the Board.

Legal authority: MCL 380.11a, 380.601a; MCL 400.293

Date adopted:   08/09/2021

Date revised: