Administrative Regulation

AR 3290

Business and Noninstructional Operations

Gifts, Grants And Bequests

General

The Board of Education may accept gifts from the public and from the Associated Student Body (ASB) organizations in behalf and in name of the district and, in so doing, shall, whenever possible, honor the preference of the donor.

Criteria to be Considered in Review and Acceptance

To be considered for acceptance, a gift should satisfy the following criteria:

1. Would not violate the principle of equal opportunity for all students at a given grade level.

2. Would not imply the endorsement of any particular business or product or any specific political or religious point of view.

3. Would not be in conflict with any provisions of state or local laws and regulations.

4. Would have a purpose consistent with the goals of the educational program.

5. Would not be inappropriate or harmful to the welfare of students.

6. Would not result in excessive maintenance, installation, or unacceptable continuing costs to the district.

7. Would not restrict or otherwise limit the school program.

8. Would, if the gift constitutes a piece of equipment, meet accepted quality, performance, and safety standards.

9. Does, if the gift constitutes a book or set of books, appear on the approved list of a recognized professional library agency/association and/or is deemed by the Superintendent or designee to be acceptable and of educational value.

10. Does not involve funds raised wholly or partially through anonymous or unidentified solicitation.

Procedure for Review and Presentation of Gifts

1. A prospective donor of a gift shall be requested to outline in advance the intent of the gift and to specify any particular preferences the donor might have. The purpose of this preliminary review procedure shall be to help determine the appropriateness of the gift offer and to review in advance any fund-raising project(s) to be held in connection with the proposed gift.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop and disseminate the specific procedures for the review and presentation of gifts, including a standard district form on which the prospective donor may outline the gift, cite any preferences for its use, and identify the fund-raising activities, if any, that are planned.

Gifts to Pay for the Services of Personnel

1. Gifts to pay for the services of personnel may be accepted by the district, with the understanding that responsibility for the hiring, evaluation, and termination of such personnel shall in all cases be retained by the district.

2. Nothing in this policy shall be construed, however, as preventing or discouraging the acceptance of unpaid volunteer services by parents or other interested parties to assist with any aspect of the school program.

Gifts to Pay for Field Trips or Excursions

1. In cases where a gift is to be used to fund a field trip or an excursion, the proposed trip should first be reviewed with the building principal by the prospective donor.

2. It shall be the responsibility of the building principal to ensure that the trip as planned:

a. Is directly related to the district program.

b. Is carefully thought out in terms of preplanning and follow-up to bring about the maximum in educational benefits to the students involved.

c. Meets district and state standards for proper safety and supervision.

d. Does not involve cost to the district in terms of transportation, student admission fees, or, in general, substitute coverage.

e. Does not prevent a student from making the trip because of lack of sufficient funds or his/her parent/guardian's unwillingness to contribute toward such.

f. Does not prevent a student from making the trip because of lack of sufficient funds or his/her parent/guardian's unwillingness to contribute toward such.

3. Offers of gift monies to fund a field trip or excursion involving travel by students out of the state or out of the country shall be reviewed by the Board:

a. In advance of any commitments to individuals involved in the proposed activity and,

b. In advance of any commitments to be made in connection with the proposed trip.

Fund-Raising Drives Which Involve Students and Result in Gift Offers

Fund-raising drives which involve students and which utilize telephone, letter, or door-to-door solicitation shall be discouraged. Participation in any aspect of a fund-raising drive shall be totally voluntary on the part of students, parents, or any potential subscriber(s).

Acceptance of Gifts

Final acceptance or rejection of all gifts shall rest with the Board. Once accepted by the Board, all gifts, grants, and bequests shall become the property of the school district and a letter of appreciation shall be forwarded to the donor(s).

Gifts to the District

1. General

a. The principal or designee of each school shall meet with booster and/or fund-raising groups at least once each year to review BP and AR 3290.

b. Prospective donors and the designated reviewing agent shall determine that a proposed gift and the method of obtaining it conform to the provisions of BP 3290.

2. Review Procedures for Gift Offers

Prospective donors shall complete Form F-1741 and submit the form in duplicate to the building principal, if a specific school is involved, or to the Superintendent, if the gift does not involve a specific school or schools.

3. Gifts to Pay for the Services of Personnel Involved in Extra-Duty Assignments

Gifts of funds to cover the cost of paying for the services of personnel involved in extra-duty assignments shall be donated to the district with the understanding that they will be disbursed in accordance with the prevailing district scale for extra-pay for extra-duty.

4. Board Action on Proposed Gifts

a. Gift offers shall be placed on the Board agenda for action (acceptance or rejection) at a time mutually acceptable to the Superintendent and the donor.

b. A letter of appreciation signed by the Superintendent as secretary of the Board shall be forwarded to the donor(s) of each gift accepted by the Board.

Regulation PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

approved: July 7, 1993 Palos Verdes Estates, California

revised: March 22, 2001