KCD - Gifts and Donations

DUDLEY-CHARLTON REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

POLICY - KCD

Gifts and Donations

 

A.  Introduction

The Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee recognizes and appreciates the benefits to the school of donations of time, talent, and money in support of the educational goals of the School District.  The School Committee further acknowledges the value of group or individual gifts or donations on behalf of the public schools that help to maintain, augment, and support approved programs.  The Dudley-Charlton Regional Schools and the Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee greatly appreciate the continued support of our community. 

The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines for the continued partnership among the Dudley-Charlton Regional Schools, the School Committee and the community in support of the goals of the district.  

B.  Acceptance of Donations

The Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee may accept gifts or donations to assist the School District in furtherance of its educational goals, in accordance with applicable laws. Gifts and donations subject to this policy include all monetary gifts, or bequests, and all donations of equipment, materials, or other donations in-kind.  Gifts and donations exceeding $500 in value will be accepted through a simple majority vote. For gifts and donations not exceeding $500 see C. Guidelines for Administrators.

All gifts and donations accepted by the School Committee shall be expended only with the approval and at the discretion of the School Committee.  Gifts and donations that are accepted by the School Committee shall ordinarily be accepted without condition or restriction, unless the Committee approves a proposed condition or restriction as being in the interest of the School District. 

All gifts and donations, whether in-cash or in-kind, accepted by the School Committee shall become the property of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District to be used as the School Committee deems appropriate and are subject to the same controls and laws that govern the use and disposal of other school-owned property. Monetary gifts and donations shall be deposited with the Treasurer´s Office and placed in a separate account as needed and in compliance with applicable law.

The School Committee shall consider the overall interests of the District in reviewing each gift or donation, and will give priority to gifts and donations that:

• Are compatible with existing or planned curriculum, programs, or educational goals of the District.
• Support the professional development of school personnel in areas that are beneficial to the educational program.

C.  Guidelines for Administrators:

1. The Superintendent is authorized to accept grants on behalf of the Committee from the federal, state, county, or local governmental agencies, private foundations, corporations, or private organization when the District or a staff member has applied for the grant with the approval of the Superintendent or designee.
2. Gifts and donations that would give rise to a new operating expense and/or result in a recurring cost to the District in the form of salary or benefits for a staff position or the continued operation or maintenance of equipment or materials must be approved by a simple majority vote of the School Committee.
3. Duly authorized school administrators are authorized to accept on behalf of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District gifts or donations from individuals or organizations in the form of supplies, materials, and equipment for the school (or money for the purchase of such supplies, materials and equipment), not to exceed a value of $500.
4. School administrators may not accept a donation of any amount that would be spent to alter the physical plant or other school property without the simple majority approval of the School Committee.
5. Donations of time and personal services by parents/guardians and other Dudley-Charlton residents shall not be subject to this policy.  This exemption shall apply to individual volunteerism only and shall not extend to donations of services by employees and agents of businesses or commercial entities, which shall be treated the same as donations of money or other contributions of economic value under this policy.

The School Committee recognizes that any policy statement on this topic will not be comprehensive in its resolution of all questions and situations.  The Committee expects, from time to time, to render specific decisions, including policy exceptions, when it deems circumstances so warrant. 

Legal Refs: MGL 71:37A

Original Adopted Date: