Procedure for 3515 Student Incentives
Student Incentives
Definitions:
- Prize: something of value conveyed as a result of chance, generally for promotional purposes, to one or more participants in a district-sponsored event.
- Award: Recognition or something of value conveyed as a result of competition, merit or in recognition of service to the district on the part of the recipient.
- De minimis: Minimal value, a small amount, lacking significance or importance, having little or no impact on public funds, so minor as to merit disregard.
Award/Prize Values
The district will consider any prize or award amount equal to or less than $20.00 (twenty dollars) to be de minimis. In determining whether an incentive is a de minimis amount, the district will consider whether the amount is insignificant to a recipient for tax purposes and insignificant to the district.
The value of an individual student prize will not exceed $20.00 (twenty dollars). The total amount of public funds disbursed by the district for prizes during a single academic year will not exceed $250.00 for each elementary school, $400.00 for each middle school, and $750.00 for each high school.
Plaques and trophies purchased for individual student achievement are considered to have no intrinsic value and are therefore not included in the above limits.
Example: A district could provide an item valued at $20.00 (twenty dollars) such as a school uniform shirt or hat to an individual student. However, incentive awards to several students in one class that have a substantial aggregate value could be excessive and an inappropriate use of public funds.
Gifts
The district is prohibited from using public funds to provide gifts.
The following are examples of prohibited gifts:
- The district may provide light lunches or refreshments for volunteers during or near the time the services are provided; however, the district cannot provide a separate event at district expense;
- Flowers purchased for celebrations or to express sympathy; and
- Food, clothing, or other items purchased for someone in need, unless authorized by a grant or other funding received for students who meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless.
Associated Student Body Fundraising – Individual Student Incentives
All property and money acquired by the Associated Student Body (ASB), except private non-associated student body funds, are district funds and will be deposited and disbursed from the district’s ASB program fund. The district may use a portion of ASB funds to award individual students' efforts for fundraising that is related to ASB activities, but only if the activity is for a legitimate school purpose (academic achievement) and spending is in accordance with the board-approved budget.
Corporate Incentives
Corporate incentives provided to the district for the benefit of students become district property.
If the incentive is made to an individual student directly from the corporation, the incentive becomes the personal property of the student and is not calculated as an incentive provided by the district. In order to be considered personal property, the incentive at no time may be presented to the district or be in possession of the district.
Any vendor, group or organization that offers student incentives to support the district must communicate with the district, prior to providing the incentive to ensure its efforts are compatible with the district’s educational goals. The district reserves the right to reject any student incentive that would not serve the interests of the district.
Prizes or awards provided to the ASB by outside vendors must also fall within the individual and district limits. An exception may be made for prizes given in support of an ASB fundraiser, such as a raffle or auction.
Recording Incentives
Incentives received will be recorded by the school. This will allow parents and teachers to view incentives provided to students and will also allow each school to analyze the distribution of incentives.
First Enacted: 6.20.23
Stanwood-Camano School District