GHS Disney Refund

This petition is for the sole purpose of requiring that the Fine Arts Department at Germantown High School in Germantown, TN issue a full refund of all monies collected and received, through fundraising, or direct payment, less $25 for the travel agency, and that said refund be issued to the parents, legal guardians, or students who raised money to attend Disney. The original quoted amount of the trip was $845. 

• The Fine Arts Choral Department held a mandatory parent meeting on September 3, 2019 for all persons in the Fine Arts Department interested in participating in the Disney World trip, hereafter referred to as Disney. The contract, fee schedule, and tentative agenda were provided to families at that time and several fundraising opportunities were discussed.
• On February 5, 2020, families were advised of another fundraising opportunity. It stated the following, “We have a Disney Fundraiser beginning THIS FRIDAY (2/7) at 2:30pm (see below). Students will be able to earn half of whatever popcorn they sell- and can earn up to $300 toward their trip. All sales are made online- and the popcorn is shipped directly to each buyer.”
• On March 12, families were notified via email that the trip was still a-go, despite the recent concerns around COVID-19. “Any remaining balance needs to be paid in full on Monday, March 16th. I will be in my room that day from 6:30am-8:30am and 5:30pm-7:30pm to collect any final payments. Please let me know if this does not work- I will do my best to find a different time.  Please understand that we have a final invoice that needs to be paid ASAP.  At this time we are obligated to pay the travel agent for the amount of students who committed to the trip.”
• Then, on March 19, Mr. Hayner emailed again and advised, “If you have not yet heard... Disney is cancelled. Everyone will receive a refund. The travel agency will be keeping $25 per student for the work they have put into this trip, which is completely understandable. It will take some time for everyone to get their money back - there is a process and with school out it will take even longer.” He followed up with a subsequent email on March 27, 2020 asking parents to reply and let him know how they would like their check to appear and what address it should be sent to.
• On April 2 and 3, the final communication was received from Mr. Hayner indicating the following decision had been made, “I've spoken with the rest of Fine Arts team and we'll be refunding all payments made, but retaining all popcorn money. My hope is those funds will be used for future endeavors/travel, etc.” The decision was made without conferring with the Germantown High School Choir - Parent Booster’s Club or families involved in the fundraising efforts.
• A total of $9,554.00 was raised in popcorn sales, before the overhead costs were paid to the company, and the remaining $4,777.00 was disseminated among students for the purpose of the Disney trip. 

Therefore, this petition contends that all funds paid for the purpose of participation in the Disney trip, slated for April 1-5, 2020, and subsequently cancelled, must be returned to the parent, legal guardian, or student, less the $25.00 travel agency fee.  Any funds paid to Shelby County Schools, Germantown High School, PPAG, it's authorized representatives, or agents, as receipted by the Fine Arts Department, for the aforementioned trip must be refunded in their entirety.  Authorized representatives who may have collected money for said trip may include, but are not limited to Matthew Hayner, David Chipman, Allison Long, Alex Perry, Elizabeth Ward, Jeff White, and Ashleigh Williams.

TaLisa Clark    Contact the author of the petition