NATRONA HEIGHTS, Pa. – School officials in Pennsylvania’s Highlands school district decided it might be a bad idea to raffle off a $500 beer gift card to raise money for a post prom party.

Highlands superintendent Michael Bjalobok told Channel 11 he put the kibosh on a post prom fundraiser put on by parents both because the $500 beer gift card top prize sent a bad message, and it wasn’t approved by school officials.

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Bjalobok said the fundraiser raffle and the $500 prize to Allegheny Beverage, a beer distributor, was not pre-approved as called for by district policy, though district officials said the prize wasn’t for students to win, TribLive.com reports.

Bjalobok told the news site he was tipped off about the raffle by an irate person who identified themselves as a Highland parent, but wouldn’t give their name.

“There is no way I should be blindsided by a guy calling us about a beer raffle, but it really doesn’t matter what is being raffled, although that doesn’t sound too good,” Bjalobok said. “It didn’t pass the smell test, so we’re done.”

Highlands High School principal Catherine Russo said the fundraiser was designed for parents to sell $2 raffle tickets to raise money for a post prom party from midnight until 5 p.m. to give students a safe place but loose.

“I did speak with two of the parents about this issue and informed them that the fundraiser could not continue,” Russo told TribLive.com. “They had already sold many tickets and planned to hold the raffle (today.)”

“After discussing (the raffle) with Dr. Bjalobok, we informed them that the prize could not be associated with alcohol,” she said. “They instead will be raffling of a VISA gift card.”

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Robin Bergstrom, owner of Allegheny Beverage told Channel 11 the same controversial $500 beer gift card was raffled last school year to help pay for the post prom party. Bergstrom said the company would never sell alcohol to anyone under 21.

“The only people we would sell beer to are people who are 21 and over,” Bergstrom said. “We would card them like we would card anybody else.”

Regardless, parents who talked to Channel 11 believe the VISA gift card is a much better idea.

“If they want to go to the beer distributor now, they can. If they want to go get an outfit, they can. If they want to go get flowers, they can,” said a Highlands parent on the post prom committee. “If they need food in their house, they can go get food.”

Several people who commented online thought the whole issue was overblown.

“Way to turn this into something it’s not! Thank you to the Bergstrom family for trying to help with a wonderful fundraiser!” Jessica Criswell posted to Facebook. “Such an incredible donation. Kids don’t buy raffle tickets, adults do! The parents who are offended need to relax. This was not done to make your children want to drink, let’s be honest! This was a local business supporting its community. I’m appauled by the complaint.”

Jeff Baker seemed to agree.

“Yay for PC, instead of supporting a local business, let’s support VISA,” he posted. “Let’s shelter our children so much that they have no idea what is going on in the world.”