Beginning January 1, 2007, individuals and groups wishing to use classrooms, athletic fields or auditoriums in any school in the district could be charged a rental fee, according to Pat Ball, athletic director for Oxford Schools.
‘We’re still in the planning process,? he said. ‘We’ve collected data from the area schools around us at this point.?
Ball proposed renting the facilities at a school board meeting in May and is heading a committee to gather more information on the issue.
The athletic director said both Brandon and Clarkston schools are charging between $25-30 per hour to rent their facilities after school. Ball said Oxford hasn’t determined how much could be charged and whether that amount would be a flat fee or hourly rate.
‘We’re looking at that and seeing what we’re going to charge, what’s fair and working on policy,? he said.
Ball said the move to charge for facility use isn’t necessarily to increase the district’s revenue.
‘If you have an event here the lights are on, there’s more work for the custodians, toilet paper is all being used,? he said. ‘It’s actually costing us more to have people using the facilities. I think it’s (aimed) more at trying to keep that in balance.?
Ball also said some groups, like Parks and Recreation, will get a discount rate for renting a facility.
One Oxford resident that is concerned with the rental charge is Kelly Moore, a service unit manager for all the Girl Scouts in Oxford and leader for Troop 1684, which meets every other week at Clear Lake Elementary.
Moore fears the fee will have to be paid for out of the troop’s funds and scout memberships will drop due to the increased cost.
‘The only problem we have is if they’re going to charge us $20 an hour,? she said. ‘Over the course of a year that’s like $400, which is most troops? cookie (sales) profit.?
Moore said she wouldn’t be opposed to a flat fee as long as it’s ‘reasonable.?
‘Twenty dollars an hour seems excessive for a non-profit group,? she said.
Ball said he’s compiling more information and will update the proposal for the school board at a meeting in October.