Question
: The Principal would like to set up an account for rewarding students who help us find other students that tag the school. Would this be ok to do, if so could he use ASB funds or could he get this money from donations?Response: Many districts have set up a reward for such reasons, which often reduce overall costs of the district to maintain facilities to a certain standard. Often such rewards are much less that the cost it would take to maintain the facilities. But, this really is not an ASB activity, as it would not be the ASB that would purchase the paint to cover the tagging when and if it occurs. This would either need to be a district expense or come from outside donations. Before starting a program like this, though, there should be some type of policy/procedure so that all students have equal opportunity to assist in this area and to ensure the board approves such rewards. This reward program should also be standardized across all district sites.
As an addition to this info, remember that awards to employees for exceptional contributions and to students for excellence are authorized by Education Code section 44015. It is required by this Education Code that if items are intended as some form of employee or student award, the governing board is required to adopt rules and regulations concerning such awards. Such awards shall not exceed $200 unless a larger award is expressly approved by the governing board. Awards to community members, though, are not considered authorized. A reward to students to stop vandalism could fit in this Ed Code if in fact the governing board does adopt rules and regulations.
The governing board of a school district may make awards to employees who do any of the following:
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Propose procedures or ideas that thereafter are adopted and effectuated, and that result in eliminating or reducing district expenditures or improving operations·
Perform special acts or special services in the public interest·
By their superior accomplishments, make exceptional contributions to the efficiency, economy, or other improvement in operations of the school districtThe governing board of a school district may also make awards to pupils for excellence.
So, once the governing board adopts rules and regulations prior to any awards being made, a district can recognize superior accomplishments of any employee or student within the guidelines and provisions contained in the applicable district policies, rules and/or regulations. In the absence of applicable policies, rules and/or regulations, no district official can make the award. Further, if no one can make the award, no one can legitimately purchase the award.
8/20/07
