Policies dealing with parent-led booster clubs and campus security cameras were two notable items examined by Placentia-Yorba Linda school district trustees at their most recent meeting.
First reading of a new policy that addresses school-connected organizations won a 4-0 vote of support by trustees, with a final second reading scheduled at the board’s April 11 meeting.
The policy specifically applies to booster clubs supporting educational and extracurricular programs and doesn’t impact the district’s foundation or PTA groups at individual schools.
District officials will be meeting with the parent leaders of the clubs, as well as the coaches, teachers and other personnel who are involved in the organizations, for further input on the details of the policy before the April session.
One reason for the new policy is to formalize the district’s interest in ensuring that a club’s request for donations from parents is reasonable and does not prevent a student from participating in a class, team or any after-school activity.
Requirements included in the policy: a list of fundraising projects, an explanation of donations to be requested from the families of each participant and a draft of the donation request letter.
And as noted in the state education code, “Any participation in fundraising activities by students and their parents/guardians and/or any donation of funds or property shall be voluntary.”
In addition, teachers and coaches may have advisory roles in the clubs, but neither they nor family members may hold offices, and the district has the right to audit club financial records.
The security camera policy calls for camera placement in “appropriate locations” and not “in areas where students, staff or community members have a reasonable expectation of privacy.”
Also, sounds will not be recorded, school entrance signs will inform of video monitoring and “matters captured by the cameras may be referred to local law enforcement, as…
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