School District considers charging for facility use

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

Waterford Graded School District officials are in the process of reviewing a facility usage policy pertaining to outside organizations using amenities at the four schools within the K-8 feeder district. At issue is whether organizations should be charged a rental fee.

Recreation Director Susie Schuyler discussed the issue last week with elected officials at a School Board Recreation Committee meeting.

Waterford Graded’s existing policy gives preference when it comes to facility usage. School functions that directly benefit district students are at the top of the list, followed by non-profit organizations – including the Boy Scouts and 4-H – that offer programs benefiting local youth within and outside the district. Local programs through the Waterford Recreation Department also are at the top-tiered list.

At the lower end of the priority list are outside organizations, including private sports leagues, church functions and organizations offering programs for adults. The facilities are made available to these groups when space is available and does not conflict with other events at the top of the priority list.

“This is where the grey starts to come in,” Schuyler said, adding that an increasing number of outside organizations have requested usage of district facilities.

Regardless of the organization or event, facility usage does come with a cost to the district since custodial staff is needed afterward. District staff also argue there is a certain degree of wear and tear to facilities, particularly to gymnasium floors during sporting events.

While there are some components of the policy that could be open to debate, School Board President Dan Jensen said he believed there was one absolute.

“If they are charging attendance at an event at one of our schools, then they definitely should be charged for using the school,” Jensen said.

It is possible some outside organizations could be charged an hourly rate for facility usage, plus the cost of custodial time afterward.

Overall, the committee was receptive to Schuyler’s concerns and agreed to revisit the discussion in February. From there, a revised policy could be drafted and brought to the full School Board for action.