The booster club’s relationship to the school was a focus of discussion at the Iola-Scandinavia School Board meeting Monday, June 11.
Board member Jeff Oppor began a discussion on booster clubs by asking, “Why can’t the current booster club run concessions for the upcoming football scrimmage?”
“Currently, the district does not have a booster club. We have a group of people that want to raise funds for the school, but don’t want to follow the rules that other school groups follow,” according to District Administrator Joe Price.
Price explained that if they are going to maintain status as an independent club, they have to provide insurance.
“Why can’t we have insurance that covers outside groups? And what’s the difference between our insurance and the village’s,” Oppor asked,
“That is a risk that they do not want to accept,” Business Manager Jon Novak said.
Oppor told the audience that he obtained a copy of the district’s insurance and took it to an agent to review. But he would not divulge the name of the insurance agent.
“Are you too proud to let this booster club be part of the school?” asked Dennis Kennealy.
Kennealy and Oppor are referring to the current parent organization that has been running youth baseball tournaments as a fundraiser for the Iola-Scandinavia Football team. They host weekend youth baseball tournaments that several communities participate in, and they raise money through concessions.
Jodi Hansen-Kennealy later told the board that the money raised does not only go to the football team, but also to buy things such as uniforms and pay entrance fees for the youth playing baseball, so they can play in other tournaments in other communities.
After hearing Hansen-Kennealy comments, Price questioned the accountability of the parent organization. “I thought it was a football fundraiser,” he said.
“We have tried to work with the current parent group,” Sara Anderson said. “But, as recently as last weekend, that group was unable to follow through on their part of the agreement. They did complete the necessary paper work, but were told all registration money needed to go through the school and that did not happen.”
“As a community member I ask that the booster club stay out of the school and stay as a private entity,” said Dennis Kennealy, referring to the formation of a new booster club that will be part of the school. “If your desire is to have a school-run booster club, then it needs to be the funding agent for all school fundraisers and all funding would have to be split.”
Kennealy said, “Many school districts have independent booster clubs. Why is it that it is not good enough for our school district?”
In other business, the board appointed Tess Lecy-Wojcik as acting administrator. She will temporarily take on responsibilities for Price, who has resigned as I-S district administrator. Lecy-Wojcik is currently the elementary school principal.
The board also accepted the resignations of Brian Brooks, middle school math and English teacher, and Autumn Carlson, high school language arts. Bus driver Claire Nordness’ retirement was also accepted.
Contracts were approved for Charmaine Schrieber, middle/high school physical education and varsity volleyball, Bradley Brookins, elementary physical education and varsity track coach.
On the recommendation of the Building and Grounds Committee, the board approved a $1,250 design fee with US Lamps to come up with a lighting plan for the pool.
The board reviewed the Academic Excellence Scholarship and has added PSAT scores to the criteria. Price said he consulted with Nancy Wilkinson, a scholarship coordinator for the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board, and confirmed that the February deadline was correct. There are no legal issues as proper procedure and policies were followed.
The lease for Young Impressions After School Program was also approved for the 2012-13 school year.