Question: Last spring I attended your ASB workshop in El Dorado County. During the discussion I asked a question on fund-raising. I was told if the students are soliciting sales for a fund-raiser it is the students’ money and therefore must go into an ASB account. This year the parent-teacher organization (PTO) managed the cookie dough fund-raiser. Our students took the fliers home, solicited sales and brought the money back to school. Students also picked up and distributed the cookie dough. The PTO collected all the orders and money and put the money in the PTO checking account. When I met with the PTO to explain that this was the students’ money and therefore should have been deposited into an ASB account, they disagreed. They want to see something in writing proving it should go into an ASB account. Can you point me in the right direction as to where I can find this information in writing? The PTO has stated that the money will eventually come back to the ASB account, but it's been months, and they have been unable to provide documentation showing how much each grade level earned during this sale. Any guidance you can provide will be most appreciated.

Response: Basically, if fund-raising occurs on school premises, it is the students’ money unless the board has approved the PTO to do the fund-raising on campus. However, if the fund-raising occurs off campus, it can be PTO fund-raising.  So this is one of those "gray" areas, based on what other facts are available. Since in this case some of the activity is occurring on campus, this may require board approval. In no case can the PTO require the students to participate.

4/28/05