Winnipeg School Division policy change bars door-to-door fundraising

Manitoba's largest school division has altered its fundraising policy, including a change that says fundraising activities shouldn't be used to pay for "day-to-day classroom resources" and one restricting door-to-door fundraising.

The Winnipeg School Division's board of trustees approved the changes at its Dec. 16 meeting, after they were previously discussed by members of the policy committee.

Superintendent Matt Henderson says they're about ensuring that all children within the division are on a level playing field, and money isn't a barrier.

The division's fundraising policy now explicitly restricts students from taking part in door-to-door fundraising activities.

It also asks schools, families and students "to think deeply about the implications, barriers and purpose for any fundraising project, and to ensure that the focus is not on the day-to-day classroom resources."

It does not, however, ban fundraising for school field trips, and anyone suggesting it does is incorrect, Henderson said.

"We're just being really mindful to ensure that as we engage in a fundraising campaign, that everybody is aware of why we're doing it," he said.

Conversations about fundraising have been ongoing within the division, Henderson said, including responses from many families about having to engage in fundraising for things they shouldn't have.

"We heard lots of feedback from families who were concerned that they were being asked to contribute to fundraising campaigns and they weren't sure what they were about," he said Wednesday.

Under its policy, the division retains the authority to determine and approve all fundraising activities involving student participation.

Senior administration and members of the board want to ensure that parent advisory councils don't have to go through "the onerous task" of raising funds for things like new playground structures, he said.

"That should be coming out of public coffers," such as "Winnipeg School Division's budget and provincial funding that supports that budget," said Henderson.

The division has received feedback from some parent councils asking if there's going to be more money added to school budgets so that councils don't have to fundraise for things like field trips, he said.

The division is trying to ensure all of its schools have the necessary resources and they're equally spread among schools, including those with larger populations of children who have disabilities or who face challenges from racialized poverty, said Henderson.

"I think also school divisions, boards and their senior admin have a responsibility to use resources in the most efficient and effective way," he said.

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Manitoba PC education critic Grant Jackson disagrees with the division's changes to its fundraising policy.

Fundraising gets families involved, while also teaching children life lessons such as teamwork, responsibility and community, he said in a statement Wednesday.

"Instead of shutting out families and punishing students by taking away opportunities and resources, the Winnipeg School Division should welcome their support and reverse this reprehensible and radical decision," Jackson said.