Volunteer Info

Booster and parent organizations are composed of parents, community members, and staff members coming together for the purpose of supporting specific school activities for the benefit of students such as athletic teams, debate teams, and musical groups. Such groups are commonly referred to as school-connected organizations. They are important means of connecting parents and other community members with the curricular and co-curricular activities of students and the board welcomes and encourages parental interest and participation Booster and parent organizations are separate from school districts with which they are associated and are not governed by the Education Code. 

Funds raised by booster/parent organizations are to be used to support programs; however, no student will be required to raise funds in order to participate in school programs and events. Booster/parent funds so raised should then be donated to the district for specific purposes, such as the purchase of specific items of equipment or to provide financial assistance to students with need in relation to uniforms or trips. This is the preferred method. However, if particular items are purchased by the booster/parent organization, these items must then be donated to the school for use by the designated group in accordance with district policies and procedures. 

Booster/parent funds will not be co-mingled with the student body funds. The school district’s tax exempt status and identification numbers are not for booster/parent organization use. Booster/parent organizations are responsible for their own tax status and accounting. All booster/parent organization tax I.D. numbers must be on file with the District Business Office. 

However, booster and parent organizations do not have free access to schools and their students. The school district governing board and administration have, and must maintain, exclusive control and management of its public school system. Education Code Section 51520 and 51521 require that any school-connected organization and/or activity be one that is authorized by law and permitted by board policy. In addition, Education Code Section 51520 prohibits the solicitation of pupils by outside organizations on school property during school hours. Solicitation is defined as “to subscribe or contribute to the funds of, to become members of, or to work for any organization not directly under the control of the school authorities.” A clear separation of responsibilities between the ASB and the various booster and parent organizations should be maintained.