Staff and Student Incentive Awards

All staff and student incentive awards must meet local, state, and federal guidelines, including the IRS Guidelines.
Incentive – Refers to a “reward” for performing an activity, achieving a milestone, or some other form of recognition.
Campus Activity Fund (Fund 461) may be used to purchase “allowable” staff and student incentives.
Student Activity Fund (Fund 865) can be used to purchase any reasonable student incentive. Although these funds belong to the respective student group, all purchases shall be approved by the student group treasurer, sponsor and campus principal, as appropriate. When considering incentives, make certain that every student has the opportunity and an equal chance to earn the reward.
Student incentives shall not violate any UIL rules or any state guidelines.
When considering staff incentives, make certain that every staff member has an opportunity to receive the reward.
Meals for staff appreciation must be a recognized event by the District. Such meals should be provided on school premises. Abuse of appreciation meals will not be tolerated. Meals provided to staff during meetings and professional development events are not considered an incentive or award.
Daily refreshments such as coffee for staff should be provided by the staff.

NOTE - District Employees: No cash, clothing (shirts, shoes, hats, socks, etc.) loans, payment of personal living expenses (Utility bills, groceries, medical bills, etc.) can be purchased for District employees. IRS law requires that the cost of these items be included on an employee’s W-2, therefore, these items are not allowed.

STAFF INCENTIVES:

		Campus Activity	Student Activity
Incentive Types	Description	Allowable	Allowable
Items defined as minimal in value – bulk items	Flash drives, ribbons, certificates, cups, other bulk items Limit to $15.00 per item	Allowed	Not Allowed
Gift Cards	Cards with a pre-set dollar limit to be spent at the recipient’s discretion	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Gifts or items that appear to be gifts	Birthday or other holiday gifts, flowers, candy, etc.	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Food considered to be a meal as recognition such as Teacher Appreciation, morale boosting	Jason’s Deli, Pizza, catered meals, any food brought in for staff that is considered a meal – Refer to the district’s Travel Policy	Allowed	Not Allowed
Longevity or service award	Service pins, certificates, ribbons, other non-cash award – Limit to $25.00 per item	Allowed	Not Allowed
Retirement Awards	Plaque, service pin, or other non-cash award Limited to $50.00 per person	Allowed	Not Allowed
Other Incentives	Small trophies, plaques, desk accessories, other non-bulk items Limit to $25.00 per item	Allowed	Not Allowed

STUDENT INCENTIVES:

		Campus Activity	Student Activity
Incentive Types	Description	Allowable	Allowable
Items defined as minimal in value – bulk items	Flash drives, ribbons, certificates, cups, other bulk items Limit to $15.00 per item	Allowed	Allowed
Gift Cards	Cards with a pre-set dollar limit to be spent at the recipient’s discretion	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Gifts or items that appear to be gifts	Birthday or other holiday gifts, flowers, candy, etc.	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Food considered as a snack	Cookies, pretzels, nachos, chips, ice cream, water, sports drinks or snacks from the Child Nutrition Dept.	Allowed	Allowed
Food considered to be a meal as recognition such a student morale, Senior events, banquets	Jason’s Deli, Pizza, catered meals, any food that is considered a meal Refer to the district’s Travel Policy	Allowed	Allowed
Electronics	Game consoles, laptop computers, printers, digital cameras, DVD players, IPod, IPad, phones or calculators	Not Allowed	Not Allowed
Other Incentives	Small trophies, plaques, desk accessories, other non-bulk items Limit to $25.00 per item	Allowed	Allowed

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