Lehighton Area School District’s board of directors approved an updated policy last week calling for a $1,000 increase in the maximum amount of funding it will give toward state-level extracurricular competitions.

The policy change comes after Lehighton’s Future Business Leaders of America chapter looked to secure additional funding to send its 36 state competition qualifiers to Hershey in April.

FBLA adviser Kevin Kotch told Lehighton’s school board last month that if the club raised no additional funds, students would have to pay $371 each to attend the conference and compete. The cost includes three nights for accommodations, five meals and the conference registration fee.

Lehighton’s school board previously contributed $3,500 per year to state-level competitions such as the one FBLA will be attending in Hershey, but Kotch asked the governing body to consider a larger investment this year.

Before voting on the hike to a $4,500 cap, some directors argued that fundraising is an essential skill-building exercise, while others suggested that additional financial assistance may be necessary.

Board member Jeremy Glaush voiced concerns about reducing fundraising requirements.

“I think that if we increase the amount that we’re going to come back to the same situation that we’re in, then fundraising isn’t going to be done to its maximum capacity,” he said.

Glaush also emphasized the importance of teaching financial responsibility to students.

“I think fundraising teaches these kids a lot more skills than just handing them government money,” he said.

Board President Joy Beers said part of the proposed policy revisions were aimed at clarifying past confusion.

“I am not in favor of increasing the dollar amount at this time,” she said. “My edits were more of the editorial nature because the policy had been previously written. It had been confusing. It created a lot of questions. People weren’t sure if certain phrases only applied to certain competitions.”

Others, such as director Kerry Sittler, favored the increase.

“At the end of the day, they’re still children,” she said. “They shouldn’t be expected to pay for everything.”

Concerns were also raised about ensuring that students actively participate in fundraising rather than relying entirely on district contributions.

“I’m in favor of the increase but I would also like to add that we ask the club work to start all year round and, I don’t know if we can do this or not, but I’d like a participation list of who’s actually participating in every fundraiser and who’s attended them,” director Heather Neff said.

Beers said future policy changes could address student accountability.

“What I’m going to ask (Superintendent) Jason (Moser) is to take into account what board members have requested regarding accountability and students developing their skills, and perhaps add that to the future edit of the policy,” Beers said.