School-Support Organizations
The Board of Directors recognizes that parent, teacher, and student organizations are an invaluable resource to the Charter School and supports their formation and vitality. While parent, teacher, and student organizations have no administrative authority and cannot determine Charter School policy, their suggestions and assistance are always welcome. Membership must be open and unrestricted.
Booster clubs and/or special interest organizations may be formed to support and strengthen specific activities conducted within the Charter School. All such groups must receive the approval of the Executive Director and the Board in order to be recognized as a booster organization. These organizations must keep on file in the Executive Director’s office a record of officers, bylaws, mailing addresses, and other pertinent information as may be required by the Executive Director. Staff participation, cooperation, and support are encouraged in such recognized organizations.
Approving Activities of Booster Organizations
Booster-proposed plans, projects or activities must be evaluated and promoted in light of their stated contribution to the curricular as well as the extracurricular programs of the Charter School. Careful consideration must be given to the total value of all students, rather than to specific elements such as team participants.
Annually, booster organizations must submit to the Executive Director or designee their tentative goals and objectives along with their fundraising plans for the next school year for review by the Board. Should the goals and objectives or fundraising plans change during the school year, the Executive Director or designee is to be advised before any final revisions are made.
Booster organizations must abide by all Charter School policies as well as the following:
1. Booster organizations may not use the Charter School’s tax ID number;
2. Booster organizations may not accept checks made out to the Charter School. The Charter School may not accept checks made out to the booster organization;
3. Charter School officials that hold leadership roles in booster club shall excuse themselves from Board decisions related to such booster club;
4. Fundraising activities should not occur on Charter School premises or during Charter School hours unless permission has been given by the Executive Director or designee;
5. Booster organizations must submit to the Board for review and approval of annual reports on income, expenses, and balance sheets.
Fund-Raising by School Support Groups
Fund-raising by Charter School support groups is considered a usual and desirable part of the function of such groups. The specific fund-raising activities must be approved in advance by the Executive Director.
The Executive Director must be consulted prior to any expenditure of such funds. All such funds raised by Charter School adjunct groups are to be used for the direct or indirect support of Charter School programs. Equipment purchased by support groups and donated to the Charter School becomes the property of the Charter School and may be used or disposed of in accordance with Charter School policy and state law.
Announcements of booster organization events and activities should clearly indicate that it is sponsored by a group and not the Charter School. Groups should warrant that the activities will be adequately supervised.
High School Activities Association Regulations
The Idaho High School Activities Association Rules and Regulations prohibits remuneration of any kind from any source outside the local school board in return for services rendered in instructing or coaching any high school athletic team. Said prohibition shall also apply to any coach, instructor, or advisor of other teams, clubs, groups, etc. Coaches, instructors, or advisors may receive appreciation gifts from team members, students, parents, or community organizations that do not exceed the value of an IHSAA player award.
Parameters for Use of the Charter School’s Name, Logo, or Mascot
The use of the Charter School name, logo, or mascot by booster organizations must be authorized by the Executive Director or designee. The Executive Director or designee may revoke the authorization to use the Charter School’s name, logo, or mascot if the Executive Director or designee determines that the booster organization has failed to comply with the terms of this policy or any other Charter School policy. The Executive Director or designee will notify the booster organization in writing of the reason for the revocation. The booster organization may appeal the revocation to the Board whose decision will be final. The appeal must be filed in writing and submitted to the Board clerk no later than five (5) business days from the date of the Executive Director or designee’s letter.
In the event a booster organizations authorization to use the Charter School’s name, logo, or mascot is revoked, the booster organization will within three (3) business days of the final decision provide to the Charter School Treasurer for deposit all of the funds in its possession.
Donations
Any item that a booster organization proposes to contribute to the Charter School must meet all legal requirements, including safety codes. Before accepting any such donation, the Executive Director or designee must ensure that funding is available to install and maintain all donated equipment, such as playground equipment, in compliance with all safety requirements. All items donated become the property of the Charter School. While the intent of the donation will be considered, the Charter School reserves the right to modify the use if the needs of the students or the Charter School change.
Discrimination
The Charter School and booster organizations may not create a vast difference in benefits or services to female and male athletes and/or students. The Charter School and booster organization must ensure that any contribution by the booster organization does not create a disparity in participation opportunities, equipment, facilities, etc. between males and females.
Legal References:
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 - 1682 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
34 C.F.R. § 106.31(b) Education Programs or Activities: Specific Prohibitions (Implementing Title IX)
Other References:
Office of Civil Rights, Title IX Athletics Investigator’s Manual (available at: https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED400763)
Idaho High School Activities Association, Current Rules and Regulations Manual (available at: https://idhsaa.org/asset/19-20Manual_Complete.pdf)
Policy History
Adopted on: May 17, 2021
Revised on:
Reviewed on: