New Booster Club Guidelines Ensure Equity
The Portland Public Schools is implementing new guidelines for sports booster clubs to ensure equity between boys’ and girls’ sports.
The guidelines require that booster clubs be organized by sport rather than gender-specific team. For example, high schools will have one soccer booster club supporting both the boys’ and the girls’ team.
Field hockey, an all-female sport, will be paired with football in a single booster club. There will be one booster club for the baseball and softball teams.
The guidelines require that booster clubs make expenditures so that all participants receive an equivalent share, regardless of gender. Booster clubs must provide complete financial information to the school district at the end of each season.
