Footlight Dance asks board to renew community campus partnership, warns of rising fees

Mackenzie King, who identified themself as the incoming director of Footlight Dance, appealed to the Blaine County School District Board of Trustees during public comment on April 8 for a five‑year renewal of the troupe’s partnership at the community campus.

King said the organization’s current rental agreement expires June 30, 2025, and that Footlight Dance is in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3). King told the board the group currently pays $1,069.37 per month and can absorb a one‑time 10% increase without raising student prices; however, King warned that recurring annual increases would become a burden.

“We currently serve around 200 Blaine County students ages 4 through 18,” King said. King added that Footlight Dance distributes approximately $5,000 in scholarships each year and has provided free performances for district schools for more than 35 years.

King said past partnership responsibilities included oversight and partial maintenance of the Wood River High School Performing Arts Theater, and that the partner has supplied technical support at no cost to the district. King said current and historical partner contributions to theater upkeep have included an estimated $1,000 of work this year.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the organization’s class rates and student counts; King confirmed class rates reflected the website and the student count of about 200. The board did not take an immediate action; the public comment was noted and the item will inform future lease and partnership discussions.

King requested that a renewal contract include continued use of the theater for the company’s annual performance and that fee increases be handled in a way that preserves affordable programming and scholarship capacity.

The district’s board chair noted that written comments were attached to the agenda and thanked King for attending.