The Board of Education acknowledges that the solicitation of funds from students by student organizations must be limited since compulsory attendance laws make the student a captive donor and since such solicitation may disrupt the program of the schools.

For purposes of this policy "student fund raising" shall include the solicitation and collection of money for any purpose and shall include the collection of money in exchange for tickets, papers, or any other goods or services for approved student activities.

The Board will permit student fund raising by students in school, on school property, or at any school-sponsored event only when the profit therefrom is to be used for school purposes or for an activity connected with the schools.

Fund raising by approved school organizations, those whose funds are managed by the Treasurer, may be permitted in school by the principal. Collections of money by approved school organizations off school grounds may be permitted under Policy 9700.

Fund raising by students on behalf of school-related organizations whose funds are not managed by the Treasurer may be permitted on school grounds by the Superintendent.

The Superintendent shall establish administrative guidelines for the solicitation of funds which shall:

Advisors for approved school organizations shall not accept any form of compensation from vendors that might influence their selection on a vendor that will provide a fund-raising activity or a product that will be sold as a fund-raiser. Furthermore, advisors for approved school organizations shall not accept any compensation from a vendor after a decision has been made regarding a fund-raising activity or a product that will be sold as a fund-raiser. In addition, advisors for approved school organizations who make the selection of a vendor that will provide a fund-raising activity or a product that will be sold as a fund-raiser shall not enter into a contractual arrangement whereby an advisor receives compensation in any form from the vendor that provides a fund-raising activity or a product that will be sold as a fund-raiser.

Such compensation includes, but is not limited to, cash, checks, stocks, or any other form of securities, and gifts such as televisions, microwave ovens, computers, discount certificates, travel vouchers, tickets, passes, and other such things of value. In the event that an advisor of an approved school organization receives such compensation, albeit unsolicited, from a vendor, the individual shall notify the Treasurer, in writing, that s/he received such compensation and shall thereafter properly transmit said compensation to the Treasurer at his/her earliest opportunity.

The Superintendent shall distribute this policy and the guidelines which implement it to each student organization granted permission to solicit funds.

R.C. 1716.02, 1716.03, 3313.811
Auditor of State Bulletin 2000-006

Revised 6/14/01