FILE: DK
ACTIVITIES FUNDS MANAGEMENT
Student activity funds are those funds raised or collected for school-approved student groups, gate receipts, and student activity card fees. The Bossier Parish School Board shall require all student activity funds to be collected and expended for the purpose of supporting the school's co-curricular and/or extracurricular activities program. Student body representation should be encouraged whenever possible.
The principal of each school shall be responsible for all school/activity accounts. The principal may assign one or more school staff member(s) to share the responsibility for assuring that accounting records are maintained in accordance with the district‘s School Activity Funds Principles and Procedures Manual. The system of accounting for school monies shall be in conformity with the district accounting procedures. The principal, however, shall have the ultimate responsibility for supervising the accounting functions to be performed at the building level.
SCHOOL CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The School Board shall require all activity funds generated by a club, organization, association, class, athletic team, or any other organization within the school to be deposited into a school activity fund bank account. Separate records of all financial transactions of the school activity fund account shall be maintained by the principal for each group. No monies shall be drawn on the school activity fund account without a request for withdrawal which carries two (2) signatures, one of which shall always be the principal's. No withdrawal shall occur unless the check carries the signature of the principal, or the administrator who assumes his/her duties during his/her absence.
The records of the school activity account shall be reconciled monthly, and a written report shall be prepared by the principal and submitted to the Superintendent or his/her designee, who shall review and consider the report for approval and notify the principal accordingly. The School Board may require and provide for an audit of the school fund of any school within its jurisdiction at any time.
All club or organization related fundraising activities shall be approved by the principal and may be subject to audits from the central office.
BOOSTER CLUBS/OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
Funds generated by an entity outside the school, such as a parents' club, community, business, civic or other similar type of organization, are considered to be independent funds under the exclusive control and supervision of the club or organization. The School Board, however, shall require all such funds, when expended for any school function, activity, or purpose, to adhere fully to all state and federal statutory and regulatory provisions.
In addition, the School Board may place restrictions on the donation and usage of any monies by an outside source, i.e. club, organization, or entity, to a school or Board-related entity. Specifically prohibited shall be the donation to an individual employee of the School Board anything of economic value in the form of money, personalized articles, automobiles and/or their use, travel, entertainment or vacations. The School Board reserves the right to examine the provisions of any and all prospective donations to a school or School Board-related entity to ascertain the propriety of the donation.
OTHER FUNDS
Schools may have other fund accounts as part of their school activity funds. Sources of money for these funds may include vending machines, coffee fees, and teacher dues. These funds may only be used to benefit the faculty or school as a whole. Any purchases made from these funds should be done with caution, as restrictions apply to the expenditure of such funds. Any questions about purchases should be directed to the Superintendent or designee for clarification before the purchase is made.
GUIDELINES
Implementation of accounting procedures in the school as outlined in the School Board’s School Activity Funds Principles and Procedures Manual shall be the responsibility of the school principal. The procedures shall assure:
The proper identification of monies belonging to various groups and organizations or monies raised and designated for various purposes.
Proper crediting of deposits.
Safeguarding of cash and prompt deposits of all monies.
Proper authorization before ordering goods and services and before the payment of invoices. Goods and services to be ordered, which shall require payment over a period exceeding ninety (90) days, shall be approved before ordering by the Superintendent.
Payment of bills by check, signed withdrawal forms by sponsors as authorized by the principal.
Prompt payment of bills.
Each principal shall submit monthly school financial statements within twenty (20) working days after the close of each month and shall prepare a financial report annually. These reports shall be available for School Board review any time the School Board deems necessary.
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 17:414.3, 51:224
Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators, Bulletin 741, Louisiana Department of Education
Bossier Parish School Board