KSHSAA rules and how they apply BOOSTER CLUBS KSHSAA rules and how they apply

KSHSAA Rules Rules are based on the over-riding principle that schools with access to “resources” should not have an inherent “advantage” over the schools (students) that don’t have access to the same resources Rules are proposed by the schools and adopted by KSHSAA Board of Directors KSHSAA rules can’t anticipate all possible situations school administrators encounter.

Activities Journal KSHSAA Activities Journal serves as primary source of information/interpretations of how KSHSAA rules are applied to various situations. School administrators are encouraged to contact KSHSAA staff if ?’s arise that aren’t readily found in Journal articles. Journals sent 10 times a year (monthly) to member schools, Superintendents and Presidents of local BOE. Journals are posted on the KSHSAA website – requires admin or coach password & id to sign in

Other sources of Information KSHSAA web site – www.kshsaa.org KSHSAA Handbook Q & A on a variety of topics If ?’s arise that KSHSAA staff feels broaches new “areas” – staff will visit internally as to current rules/interpretations and how they apply to the situation May take to the KSHSAA Executive Board for their interpretation.

Challenges for Schools School administrators – Principals – Activities and/or Athletic Directors have to monitor the activities of booster clubs, community groups, individuals & coaches and stay current with KSHSAA rules & interpretations Often informed “after-the-fact” of things Most administrators are former coaches who know the value of participation in activities for students All are “educators” who want what is best for every child They are the “responsible” party should violations of KSHSAA rules occur Very difficult job of “balancing” a number of competing factors Truly in “no-win” situations

Booster Club Defined – Body/group/organization that includes as one of their objectives to provide funding help for selected school activities, organizations or teams. They may engage in a variety of activities but they are principally fund raising groups. For any school there may be one or more Booster Clubs but they all fall under the same KSHSAA rules.

Evolution of Booster Clubs Historically – schools had only a single booster club – purpose was to support all the school’s programs Traditional role – assist in providing funds ($$) and resources (equipment) Growing number of schools with a multitude of “special interest” Booster Clubs Change in the dynamics of student (family) interests - Number of “single” sport/activity students Increasing demands on limited school finances for a growing number of different and diverse responsibilities Lack of increases in funding to keep up with inflation and increased costs Increasing expectations of school activity programs – i.e. travel Role expanding to go beyond their “traditional” role in support of the local school

20-1-1 – AWARDS Rule Basis for most of the answers to questions re: Booster Clubs Fundamental premise – “Booster Clubs are considered synonymous to schools.” What schools “may” or “may not” do is the same in regards to what BC’s “may” or “may not” do. Difference between “athletics” and most of the “activities” related programs All KSHSAA rules can be found on the KSHSAA web site – look for the heading “Handbook”

20-1-1f Key KSHSAA rule which Booster Club’s and schools need to be aware of: 20-1-1f states that: “Member schools shall not be involved in fund-raising or in financing students to attend outside school-training session, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. Booster Clubs are considered synonymous to schools.”

“May” do Provide $$’s – to help purchase of supplies/equipment $$’s Donated to the school for use as they see fit - requests can be made as to the use of those $$’s but school (Principal) may use the $$ as they deem appropriate (see next slide) Growing item – school activity/sport contest/trip expenses EQUIPMENT K.S.A. 72-8210 – Special piece of equipment – permitted if could be used by any student in the school and donation is approved by principal CONSUMABLES (FOOD) FOR STUDENTS ON SCHOOL FUNCTIONS Yes – food and/or $ to help purchase CLOTHING-UNIFORMS Yes – becomes the property of the school Uniforms – must comply with NFHS rules May be purchased by the student at fair market value MEMEMENTOS Yes but there is a limit ($25.00/athlete/sport)

FOUNDATIONS Growing number of schools establishing “foundations” Becomes a source of funds to help offset the cost of programs/sports Has some tax advantages for contributors – will want to seek financial/legal advice if interested in establishing Source of funds to assist students cover costs of participation in school activity Application process – Foundation Board – Needs based distribution of funds (do not give $’s to student/family) – help in purchase of items that are required for participation

“May Not” do May not provide $ to students to attend camps or clinics or to cover costs for student to participate on a non-school team. May not provide “bonus” or “incentives” or “gifts” to coaches in excess of specified $100 limit 20-1-1f - May not be involved in fund-raising or in financing students to attend outside school training sessions, tryouts or camps in competitive athletics and debate. - Source of most of the ?’s and violations that occur

EXAMPLES Secure a bus/vehicles to take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate) Reimburse school for cost of renting school vehicle to take student to camps/clinics (athletic or debate) Pay the entry fee for student to attend camps/clinics (athletic or debate) Reimburse coaches who take students to camps/clinics (athletic or debate)

Booster Club v. Non-school groups (NSG) NSG Examples – Youth Soccer team, Kids Wrestling program/team/club, etc. EX - NSG raising money at school event to be used to send club members to a camp or clinic The $’s raised at such an event can not be used to pay for camp or clinic expenses that students from that school would attend How is the amount of these $’s “tracked” so that there is no “co-mingling” of $’s? That becomes the responsibility of the NSG.

More Examples NSG would like to provide funds for student(s) to go to non-school camp/clinic/competition. NSG could provide $’s that are not raised at any school event School (BC) could not request/solicit the funds – that is the responsibility of the student(s) The school coach has some members of his wrestling team going to a camp/competition. Can he help raise funds for these kids? Coaches are by interpretation considered “agents” of the school. While the coach could provide personal funds to the student(s), he/she could not be involved in the solicitation/raising of funds to help cover costs of the camp/competition.

Continuing with Examples Students have been invited to play in a “bowl” game (on a traveling team, etc.) – could school/booster club help raise $ for student(s) to do this? No – the interpretation of the KSHSAA rule is that traveling teams, select teams, or organized teams which include any KSHSAA member school student receive instructions/coaching & would fall into the category of “training sessions, tryouts or camps”

When questions arise… First and foremost - Contact the administration of your school when ?’s arise or before starting something – seeking approval is much better than forgiveness – or place students in situations in which violations occur Communicate with the school administration – KSHSAA staff will direct you to contact and work through them if interpretations/clarifications of rules is needed.