Sounds like some more busy-work for the school system to deal with. How about just enforcing the laws that we have against embezzlement? The guy tried to steal $9400 of booster club money and didn’t get away with it. If the school system implemented the program you’re suggesting it would cost tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars every year. Requiring two signatures, if the clubs think that that’s necessary, and prosecuting embezzlers is sufficient.

Maximus

Step one to commit fraud is to remove accountability. That’s why the legal system, grounded in extensive practical experience and understanding of human nature, devotes so much effort to making people accountable, especially in their handling of other people’s money.

The excuses are well known. Too much trouble. Too much expense. Too much red tape.

Keeping records is essential to maintaining honesty in the system. In fact, section 6001 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code requires “every person liable for any tax or for the collection thereof” to keep all appropriate records. Once you’ve got the records, how hard can it be to file a copy in the school principal’s office?

Those who use “too much trouble” as an excuse may be more than lazy. They are often devious. If they’re not intent on committing fraud from the beginning, fraud becomes a crime of opportunity when they realize they can get away with making no reports.

“Once you’ve got the records, how hard can it be to file a copy in the school principal’s office?”

The principals have more important things to do than look over club balance sheets. If the requirement were made, they would just file them with the rest of the trash that they don’t have the time or inclination to deal with. Would the principal then be responsible for any fraud? Even if they did go over the balance sheets of every club and organization that met at the school, they wouldn’t have a clue about it’s correctness without checking all of the bank records including canceled checks, etc.

The money from these clubs does not belong to the school. It is, however, used for the benefit of the school. It’s called a club because a group of people have decided to get together, pool some money, and help out where they choose. I just wrote a check to one for $100. It’s our money! If someone steals it we can press charges using the laws that we already have.

“Keeping records is essential to maintaining honesty in the system. In fact, section 6001 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code requires “every person liable for any tax or for the collection thereof” to keep all appropriate records.”

I wonder how the tax code has grown to 17,000 pages. It’s undoubtedly a lawyer’s delight.

Maximus

I agree, the school principals have more urgent issues to deal with than booster clubs' accountability's, but it SHOULD be a requirement of the Athletic Director at each school to have to require financial reports from all booster clubs on campus. It would definitely be a huge benefit if the AD has experience in Accounting - be it a degree, or they taught it, etc.

Warning - Soap Box Issue: It also helps if the parents of the players actually join their child's sport's booster club and pay the fees as stated in the booster club's by-laws. But I guess those parents don't realize by not financially supporting the booster club, they are short-changing their own child's experience, plus the future of the program itself. I personally am fed up with those parents only paying for what their child personally uses (ex. player's package clothing) and not realizing there is equipment upkeep, repair, replacement, etc. that has to been done no matter what. These are the same parents who complain to everyone that their child doesn't have matching pads, or receives a practice jersey with a small hole in it. One more point: these are also the parents who don't/won't participate in ANY fundraising for the booster club either. Bottom Line: if your child plays a sport, support the booster club, too. It makes a huge difference in not only your own child's experience, but of the whole program for years to come.

I'm not sure exactly what this fellow is trying to say...

I believe they are saying that because of this person "allegedly" sort of taking/stealing/borrowing some money from the fund that the BOE might stick their noses, as it were, into day to day financial operations of other similar organizations which I suppose would be a bad thing because who needs extra noses stuck in places where one doesn't want noses stuck? Now! What the heck am I saying?

FCBOE should have a responsibilty in keeping up with the funds for this club. Parents give money so that the school can purchase merchandaise for sports,dances,and other things that clubs need. Our children belong to these clubs and play the various sports that are directly related to the school they attend.Why shouldn't they have some accountability???? Afterall, if it weren't for parents giving to the school,What kind of programs would they have to offer? This club is not for the Peachtree City Recreation dept.It is for Booth Middle School. Who is in charge of Booth? The FCBOE!!!