Panther Valley School District is planning to adopt guidelines regarding sanctioning booster clubs.

The action comes after it was reported that last year, there was a collection of funds occurring under false pretenses."In the last year, a person was going out selling tickets under our name," said Rosemary Porembo, superintendent of schools. "We had to contact the police."Porembo said she contacted the Pennsylvania School Board Association for a sample policy governing booster clubs. They sent her one from the Jim Thorpe School District, which Porembo termed, "a well-written policy."The Jim Thorpe policy defines a booster club as "any parental or community support group that provides services, awards, funds, and/or equipment for school district sponsored programs."Panther Valley school directors said that for board recognition, the club would have to have bylaws, present to the board a schedule of meetings, give the board a list of officers, have audits, and have involvement from head coaches.Board member Michelle Markovich, expressing support for such a policy, said, "I think it's time we tighten up a little bit."She suggested that the finances of each club be reviewed by the district's business manager and that the club might even use the same bank as the district.No action was taken and it likely won't be brought up for a vote before the February meeting of the school board.Jim Thorpe's policy states, "The board, superintendent, the principals, and/or the athletic director shall have the authority to void or cancel any and all fundraising activities or expenditure programs that they believe are not necessary, appropriate, or in the best interest of the district and its students."The Panther Valley board, if it adopts the Jim Thorpe policy, would require, prior to the beginning of a sports season, a copy of the organization's financial report including a proposed budget for the fiscal year with anticipated expenditures and revenues. An actual budget for the preceding fiscal year would have to be submitted as well.In another policy related item, the board rejected a suggestion that the district not allow school facilities to be used on a Sunday.