JJIBC - RELATIONS WITH BOOSTER GROUPS

JJIBC - RELATIONS WITH BOOSTER GROUPS

A. Basis for this Policy.
RSU 21 recognizes the role of booster groups in assisting the schools in enriching athletic and other extracurricular and co-curricular activities and enabling more students to participate in such activities

B. Definition of Booster Group.
For the purpose of this policy, a “booster group” is a parent/guardian and/or community group that is organized for the purpose of providing resources to support a school, a particular sport or extracurricular/co-curricular activity in the school or school system, or to support the sports program at large or a district program at large, and to support the school in recognizing student accomplishment in athletics and activities.

C. Requirement of Board Approval for New Booster Group Status.
The Superintendent or his/her/their designee may make recommendations to the Board concerning the approval of new groups seeking booster status. The Board shall approve any new groups seeking booster status.  Only those booster groups that have been approved by the Board may use the name and/or logo of RSU 21 or its schools. 

The Booster will provide the Board with information demonstrating they have met the criteria as described in Section D.

D. Criteria for Booster Group Status.
In order to be approved as a booster group, a group must meet the following criteria:

1. The group must be comprised of and operated by adults rather than students;

2. The group must provide details of the structure of the organization, including its purpose and goals, the intended use of funds generated, the names and contact information of its officers, and its bylaws;

3.  The booster president or designee must make application to the Superintendent or his/her/their designee for all uses of school facilities for fund raising projects, in accordance with the Board’s facilities use policy and procedures;

4. Use of school facilities by the group will comply with all policies and regulations established by the Board and, as applicable, the Maine Principals Association;

5. Monies collected by booster group fundraising  activities may be gifted by that group to the appropriate school activity/department through appropriate accounting measures.

6. All fundraising activities must be approved in advanced by the building principal and the Superintendent or his/her designee, according to Board policy;

7. No fundraising activities will be conducted within the school during school hours by the group unless approved by the building principal;

8. All funds raised by the group must be used to achieve the stated purposes of the group;

9. The group must maintain a separate status from the school, including, but not necessarily limited to, banking matters, financial matters, and tax exempt status if applicable.  The organization will provide to the Board annually, or upon request, a complete set of its financial records or detailed treasurer’s report;

10. Booster groups may not lawfully use the school’s sales tax exemption for purchases or sales;

11. Booster group gifts should enhance activities for students equally.  The Superintendent or his/her/their designee will consider gender equity and budget implications before accepting booster group donations;

12. Any booster group plan or project that would require expansion, renovation or construction of school facilities or would increase maintenance costs for facilities shall require Board approval;

13. Any booster group plan to provide awards or recognition to teams or individual students must be approved by the Superintendent or designee before any public announcement is made;

14. Booster groups will not directly pay coaches, activity advisors or officials, or pay for transportation;

15. Booster groups can purchase equipment only approved by a coach or administrator; and

16. Booster groups will not select coaches, assistant coaches or activity advisors or influence the selection of coaches, assistant coaches or activity advisors.  

E. Revocation of Booster Group Status.
The Board reserves the right to revoke the approval of any booster group if it is found that the group’s operations and purposes are inconsistent with Board policies. 

Cross References:
JJI—RSU 21 Philosophy of Athletics
KF Use of School Facilities
KF - R - Use of Facilities - Administrative Guidelines
JJE--Fund Raising
JICE Publications and Materials Distribution Policy
KHC - Materials Distribution and Publications

Adopted: 04/02/08
Reviewed: 04/26/10
Revised: 05/19/2025