Policy Committee 08/17/2009

I apologize for the delay. My scanner was having issues, but I seemed to have fixed them for the time being.

Several citizens, representing a few organizations in the area, attended the policy committee meeting prior to the regular school board meeting. This post will comprise some of what was discussed, as well as my reactions.

Dr. Newcome went over some changes to the facilities use policy. The handouts are attached in the following file: http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B3fwieKBz959MTQxOTZmNzktNTYzNi00OGI1LWExZDMtNjI3MjZlODYwYmM5&hl=en
One page is in there twice.

The district doesn't follow the policy as it is currently written. If it did, they would not be able to hold 'Monte Carlo Night'. On page 1 under Unauthorized Use #2 Use of school premises for gambling or any other illegal activities, regardless of their nature.

For now school sponsored activities will not be charged "unless special custodial, equipment or professional services are required. If such groups use the facilites for fund-raising activities, charges will be based on Appendix "A" Schedule of Charges." To me, this says that if the K-6 PTO holds their book sale, they will be charged per the schedule $100 for the 1st three hours & $25 for every hour after that.

As for the other two groups, I really don't understand HOW they made the split. They are all not-for-profit organizations under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code. So why does the Lions Club not get charged, but the Octorara Softball Association does?

For years, many of the athletic organizations in the area have put thousands of dollars into the fields on the school property. From installing an irrigation system, to fertilizing the fields, to grooming & leveling the fields, to adding whatever else is needed, these organizations have been there to alleviate the financial stress on the district and to make sure that our students have the best facilities they can. Now, the district wants to charge these same organizations for the privilege of continuing to do the same thing.

When asked what the organizations get for the fee, the response was "the right to use the field". The district will not line the fields, nor make sure they are mowed. In other words, the organization pays the fee, but there is no guarantee that the field will be in playable condition. When I asked about whether the fields would be lined, the answer was "If you rented the cafeteria, wouldn't you expect to have to set it up?" Well, actually - no. If I rent the Christiana Fire House for a banquet, I expect that the tables will be set up, that there will be linens on the tables, chairs will be at the tables & that plates & utensils will be set up. So why wouldn't I expect the grass to be mowed & lines on the field?

Steve Lubrano talked about the effort baseball puts into the fields and was given the response by a board member of "then perhaps you shouldn't do that".

What are they going to do when organizations find other places to hold their events? When they aren't able to collect the money budgeted?

I am not necessarily against paying the activity fee or a usage fee - HOWEVER, the district needs to acknowledge what these organizations provide to the district -and how much they have saved the district over the years.