D94 board approves 10-year intergovernmental agreement with District 33 for baseball fields

The Community High School District 94 Board of Education approved a 10-year intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with West Chicago Elementary School District 33 for reciprocal use of athletic facilities, including baseball fields, track and gym space. Board members debated whether the $10,000 annual payment is fair given each district’s facility use and maintenance contributions before voting to approve the agreement. Why it matters: The IGA secures a site for District 94’s baseball program, which the district said lacks alternative field options, and formalizes shared facility use that has been informal in recent years. Board discussion: Some members emphasized the district’s limited land and the need for a compromise to ensure teams have a place to play; others asked whether the district should quantify the ‘‘give and take’’—for example custodial, security, parking, and maintenance—before approving a multiyear deal. Administrators described the agreement’s history: an original long-term arrangement from 2003 expired several years ago, and the revised document reduces prior amounts to $10,000 per year to reflect current usage and reciprocal benefits. The contract includes a 180-day termination clause and the board emphasized it can be renegotiated if new options arise. Outcome: The board approved the IGA by roll call; votes were recorded with one no vote. Implementation: The administration will finalize the agreement and monitor costs and reciprocal services, and the board suggested assembling a cost/value accounting of facility use to inform future negotiations.