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How can Booster organizations foster better relationships with the Public School system?Our organization is trying to raise $3.4 million to refurbish an outdated stadium. Our bleachers last met safety codes over 15 years ago and ADA compliance is almost non-existent. We've put a plan in place to raise money but getting the school system to work with us has been a challenge. we don't want control of the venue, we simply want to make it better. So why all of the hoops to jump through? And why can't they better assist with planning and construction on the property they own and insist we don't control? We are doing this for the kids. Can we get a better partnership?

You have to start with your school board and or the elected Superintendent if that is the form of government. The necessitty tocomply with building codes and red tape won't change, but accepting you as a development partner can only be done from the top down. Many public private partnerships are missed because sponsorship fullfilment is not understood and agreed upon up front. Once it is endorsed at the top, the publicity and good will also aids in the fundraising you will be doing.

You really stated the problem in your question. The perception will be that you want control reguardless of how you present it. Perhaps when you sit with administration allow them to see the benefits if the money wasn't being raised but from eithyer a bond or from capital improvement funds. Then find a way to give them the "key" after the job is done. By forcing them to buy into your plan because of ADA issues, etc. will only cause animosity after the job is done.