[Levansic]

Others have had good suggestions, heed the ones that make sense for your local situation. My perspective is one of both a team mentor and a district school board member, so I'll offer what may or may not help.

Going off of the original post, it would seem that local politics is at play. As Tip O'Neal famously said, "All politics is local." Because of this, you should know that some of the earlier suggestions of boosters organizations may cause more harm than good to your cause. There is a possibility that your district may pull your charter, if you don't follow correct procedures for establishing this type of organization. In our district, we were strongly encouraged against forming a booster organization, as bad actors in other booster clubs had caused some financial and legal problems for the district. We play ball, and work through our student body government. This means we are restricted in our local fundraising, but not cast out of our school.

Given your stated situation, it is likely that members of some other booster organization may be contributing to your problem. Perhaps there is a senior teacher advising another club, and doesn't want the encroachment. You really have to know exactly why your school is barring your fundraising, before you can plan a course that addresses your problem.

What is the posture of your school Principal towards your team? How about your Superintendent? If one or both are supportive, then approach them to find out exactly why your team is barred. Who told your team the ground rules? Was the entire team told directly by a school administrator, or was this relayed through a teacher?

School boards are good places to go when you run out of other options. Talk to your district Superintendent to get on the agenda. Give a good demonstration or presentation, your Chairman's presentation if you have one, and follow-up with a brief plea for redress. They will not be able to instantly solve the problem, but they can ask to have district policies changed. The board only has one employee, the Superintendent. The board have influence over what the Superintendent puts his or her focus on.

If you are unable to get on the agenda, go to the next posted board meeting. All school boards have a public comment time, usually at the beginning of the meeting, where anyone can make any statement that they want. Have several students sign up for slots to speak. Make sure you have a well-rehearsed and well-controlled statement from each member who chooses to speak. The goal is to make a strong favorable impression. You need allies, not more opposition.

Whatever you do, don't whine. Be positive, and explain the positives of your program. Every team is facing the challenge of reduced sponsorship, so explain how this situation is making local funding more necessary. What you are looking for is the ability for your community to be allowed to express financial support for STEM education, as they do for local sports teams.

Edit: One benefit of going to a school board meeting, is that local press is usually present. Your situation can get more attention, and more pressure can be borne from informed community members. After your presentation or public statements, bend the ear of the local reporters, to see if they would be interested in doing a positive story on the work of your team.