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Sibley East’s board of education tabled the Sibley East Booster Club’s request to handle all concessions at the Arlington campus this year.

One of the primary reasons the booster club was established was to reduce or eliminate fundraisers conducted by student-athletes. The booster club would conduct fund raising efforts. All of the funds raised would be donated back to athletic and fine arts activities which require a student activity fee.

In an attempt to accomplish its goal, the booster club was proposing to operate enhanced concession stands in Gaylord and Arlington. School officials eventually directed the club to start this year with the concession stands at the Arlington campus. But, that request was denied at the August 18th school board meeting.

Brian Asmus, chairman of the school board, spoke in opposition to the booster club’s request. He believes the school has “nothing to gain by giving up the concession stands.” Asmus was concerned that students in programs not funded by the booster club wouldn’t get the opportunity to operate the concession stands.

School board member Jodi Hanson also opposed the booster club’s request. Her concern was that it would eliminate community groups who come into the school and raise funds at various events.

Representatives of the booster club assured the school board that students would be allowed to help the club with concession stand work. It was not the intent of the club to stop any school or community groups from fundraising at event. Booster club representatives said the group would not sell any items currently sold by these school or community groups.

Because the booster club is considered a “separate entity” from school, Superintendent John Langenbrunner said it was important that school board members had questions and concerns. Langenbrunner then applauded the booster club’s efforts and reminded school board members that the intent of the group is “to do good things.”

Because school will not be in session yet, the booster club was given permission to run the concession stand at the first football game in Arlington on Friday, August 29th. The booster club’s request to operate concession stands at future events will be discussed at the September 15th school board meeting.