Crowdfunding policy OK’d in Interboro School District

PROSPECT PAR K >> Teachers in the Interboro School District will be able to continue using crowdfunding sites after the school board adopted a policy Oct. 16 outlining its future use.

The Interboro School Board unanimously adopted Policy 702.1 (Crowdfunding) that creates a formal approval process for use of online platforms teachers use to solicit funds or items for specific projects or programs. The policy states that crowdfunding may be beneficial to district programs and classrooms, but unregulated continued use can subject to the district or employee to legal liability.

According to the policy, an employee must submit a crowdfunding solicitation project approval form to their building principal or supervisor. Superintendent Bernadette Reiley said it is important for administrators to review the project to make sure that it aligns with curriculum and/or to see if it is something that the district is able to provide.

Approved projects by the district may be posted on district-approved crowdfunding sites. If the solicitation is for items, those items become the property of the district and will be delivered directly to the building principal. Monetary donations will be collected through the district’s finance office and will hold the funds until they are used for their stated purpose. The bank account of an individual or organization may not receive funds raised through crowdfunding platforms.

Any project with a value or cost exceeding $1,000 will require school board approval.

Employees are prohibited from unapproved crowdfunding on behalf of the district.

Given the rise in popularity of teachers’ use of crowdfunding sites, Reiley said she started to investigate their use and develop a policy for Interboro last school year.

“I support our teachers to expand in their classrooms beyond what the district can provide,” she said.

As of Thursday afternoon, there were 11 projects active on the site DonorsChoose.org. Reiley said teachers with live crowdfunding projects are being asked to submit a project approval form to have documentation of the project. Administration will reach out with any additional questions if needed.