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1313.1 Gifts to Schools

Adoption Date: 11/18/1964, Revised: 6/10/1993; 03/10/1993, 02/13/1975; 11/21/2019, Reviewed: 11/18/2017
1000 - Community Relations
Public Activities Involving Staff. Students or School Facilities

1313.1 Gifts, Grants and Bequests to the School District

The Board of Education may accept gifts, grants and/or bequests of money, real or personal property, as well as other merchandise (“gifts”) which, in the view of the Board, adds to the overall welfare of the District, provided that such acceptance is in accordance with existing laws and regulations.  The Board reserves the right to refuse to accept any gift which does not contribute towards the achievement of the District’s goals or the ownership of which would require the District to expend public funds.

Any gift accepted by the Board shall become the property of the District, may not be returned without the approval of the Board, and is subject to the same controls and regulations as is other property of the district.

The Board requires that an offer be made in writing prior to formally considering the acceptance of a gift and that the Superintendent and/or affected principal(s) review and make a recommendation regarding acceptance or rejection of the gift.  Any gift accepted by the Board on behalf of the District must be by official action, by resolution passed by a quorum of the Board.

In granting or withholding its consent, the Board will consider the following factors:

1.         The terms of the gift must identify:
a.         the subject of the gift
b.         the purpose of the gift
c.         the beneficiary or beneficiaries, if any
d.         all conditions or restrictions that may apply.
e.         any anticipated future costs such a staff support, installation and maintenance.

 

2.         The gift must not benefit a particular or named individual or individuals.

3.         If the purpose of the gift is an award to a single student, the determination of the recipient of such award shall be made on the basis that all students shall have an equal opportunity to qualify for it in conformance with federal and state law.

  • The donor’s prescribed criteria, if any, shall be used in making the award;
  • The Building Principal, in cooperation with the Superintendent or designee, shall determine the composition of the committee that will determine to whom the award will be given based upon the criteria provided.

4.         If the gift is in trust, the obligation of the investment and reinvestment of the principal shall be clearly specified and the application of the income or investment proceeds shall be clearly set forth.

5.         No gift or trust will be accepted by the Board unless:

a.         it is in support of and a benefit to all or to a particular public school in the district, or
b.         it is for a purpose for which the school district could legally expend its own funds, or
c.         it is for the purpose of awarding scholarships to students graduating from the district.
 

Any gift rejected by the Board shall be returned to the donor or his/her estate within 60 days together with a statement indicating the reasons for the rejection of such gift.

Gifts of money to the District will be annually accounted for in the Special Aid Fund (if a grant) or under the Trust and Agency Account (if scholarship or memorial funds) in the designated bank.

All gifts, grants and/or bequests will become District property. 

A letter of appreciation, signed by the Board President and the Superintendent, may be sent to a donor/grantor in recognition of the contribution to the District.

 

Ref:     Education Law §1709(12)