A new approach to the issue of fundraising is being developed by the Suttons Bay school district.

Superintendent Mike Murray told board members Monday night that he has been working with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation to establish a fund that would provide financial support for enrichment programs for the school population.

“Other than the Friends of Fine Arts and the Field of Dreams Committees, most of our fundraising activities are small,” he explained.

A committee examining the issue determined that the Suttons Bay community pays out more than $300,000 annually to efforts to generate money for the school. Fundraisers have included the sale of everything from wrapping paper to cookie dough, oranges to magazines.

“Money goes out to fund the purchase of the product,” Murray said. “But the school only gets a portion of this back.”

The superintendent said school supporters are not able to reap tax benefits when there’s an exchange of goods.

“Most of the people I’ve heard from indicate they’d much rather make a tax-deductible contribution and know all the money is going to the school,” Murray said.

The superintendent said school coffers grow by about $80,000 a year as a result of the fundraisers. He suggested the district establish a first-year fundraising goal of $100,000, with money not spent providing an endowment.

Murray said that a meeting will be held at 7 p.m., on Feb. 28 at which members of a steering committee are expected to provide a list of potential donors in the community. A master list of prospective donors will be developed and an initial mailing will go out this spring with another tentatively scheduled for after school resumes in September.

Early in the meeting Monday night, board members questioned whether fundraising would be needed for a May trip to Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum approved for 5th and 6th graders. Cost of the trip is $100 per student.

“With creation of the endowment, the money would be there,” Murray said.

In other business during the monthly meeting, the board:

• Approved a tax collection agreement with Leelanau Township at a rate of $2.50 per parcel.

• Learned the state Supreme Court has denied an application to appeal a Court of Appeals decision dismissing a lawsuit challenging the state’s failure to fund mandated activities. Suttons Bay was a party in this lawsuit.