Stevensville School District
                                                                                                                                        
STUDENTS

School Sponsored and Approved Groups

The Board of Trustees will authorize and recognize School Sponsored and Approved Groups  in a manner consistent with this policy and administrative procedure. School Sponsored and Approved Groups that are recognized by the District and permitted to use District facilities, use the District’s name, a District school’s name, or a District school’s team name or any logo attributable to the District, and raise and deposit funds with the District.

In order for the Board to authorize and recognize a School Sponsored and Approved Group, the group must submit an application to the building administrator containing the following:

  1. The organization’s name and purpose.
  1. The employee designated to serve as the group’s advisor.
  1. The rules and procedures under which it operates.
  1. A statement that the membership will adhere to applicable Board policies and administrative procedures.
  1. A statement that membership is open and unrestricted and the organization will not engage in discrimination based on someone’s innate characteristics or membership in a protected classification.

The administration will forward to the Board new School Sponsored and Approved Group applications that have been received.  

Upon Board authorization of a new School Sponsored and Approved Group, the administration will notify the District clerk so the group may have any funds raised for its operations so designated in accordance with the District’s financial practices.

Board Authorized School Sponsored and Approved Groups will appear in the student handbook and other appropriate district publications. Advisors of student groups may be eligible for a stipend in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions and available district resources.

Recognized School Sponsored and Approved Groups that do not meet and or lack an administratively approved advisor for two consecutive academic years shall be deemed inactive. Inactive School Sponsored and Approved Groups that seek to reorganize will be required to complete Policy Form 3550F

Informal or Unrecognized Student Groups

Student-led and initiated groups of similar interests may meet on school property during non- instructional time in accordance with applicable District policies and must have adult supervision. Informal groups may have informal staff advisors that are present at student group meetings. District employees must only serve in a supervisory capacity and are not eligible for district stipend. Informal student groups may not deposit funds in district accounts. Notices posted by informal groups must be in accordance with applicable policy governing non-District events or groups and administrator approval.

Fundraising

All funds raised by recognized School Sponsored and Approved Groups are subject to applicable School District policies regarding financial management. All funds raised by recognized School Sponsored and Approved Groups that are donated to the School District become public funds when placed in a School District account. All public funds must be monitored in accordance with state law. Deposits must be reviewed to ensure compliance with equity rules, amateur rules and appropriateness under district policy.

Funds spent by the School District will be expended in accordance with District purchase order policy and spending limits regardless of the source of the donation. All expenditures should be preapproved to ensure equity and auditing standards are met.

Funds for non-functioning School Sponsored and Approved Groups will be transferred to general the ASB account when School Sponsored and Approved Groups fail to meet in 2 curricular years.

The administration is authorized to develop procedures to implement this policy.

Cross Reference:
2332 Religion and Religious Activities
3210 Equal Education and Nondiscrimination
3222 Distribution and Posting Materials
3233 Student Use of Buildings – Equal Access
4331 Use of School Property for Posting Notices

Policy History:  
Adopted on: September 2020
Reviewed on: July 2020; January 11, 2022
Revised on: February 8, 2022