Response: The quick answer is that no, ASB accounts should not have principal accounts. ASB funds are to benefit the students, and they should be making the decisions on how the funds will be spent.
For more background, remember that ASB organizations have a lot of flexibility and discretion about how they may use their funds, but there are overlying principles that guide what is allowable and what is not. Allowable expenditures are those that promote the general welfare, morale and educational experiences of students. Allowable expenditures are also those that the students are involved in making the overall decisions.
Since it is confusing as far as what is and is not allowable, and what the requirements are to purchase items, it is critical that districts establish board policy and administrative regulations containing guidelines for their own specific district on what they consider allowable, prohibited expenses and what must occur prior to the purchase occurring. These policies/regulations should be regularly reviewed and updated as individual questions come up so that they cover the types of items that are specific to your own district.
9/12/06
