School committee waives facility fees for Springfield youth nonprofits, keeps current insurance waiver language pending review

The Springfield School Committee on March 13 voted to approve an amended school building permit policy that removes yearly usage fees and hourly rates for nonprofit groups serving Springfield youth, while retaining an existing process that allows non‑Springfield organizations to request a waiver of insurance requirements. The committee directed the building and maintenance subcommittee to review insurance language and cost implications.

The change is intended to reduce barriers for local youth‑serving nonprofits that use school gyms, athletic fields and other facilities. Under the amended policy, Springfield‑based nonprofit groups will not pay the previous usage fees or hourly rates for facilities; they will still be required to cover personnel costs if district staff (security, cafeteria workers) are needed.

Why it matters: Committee members said the policy will lower costs for community groups that run youth leagues and after‑school programs. Several members warned that waiving insurance for outsiders could expose the district to financial risk and asked staff to return with clearer guidance and cost estimates.

Key points from discussion

Pat Roach told the committee the primary change was a removal of fees to reduce costs for nonprofits serving the city's youth. Vice Chair Monroe Naylor and Mister Gonzales framed the amendment as aimed at reducing barriers to access for Springfield families.

Vice Chair Monroe Naylor and Miss Hurst raised concerns about paragraph 8 of the policy, which the transcript shows allows non‑Springfield groups who lack required insurance to request a waiver and remain "fully liable." Miss Hurst argued that waiver language could leave principals and taxpayers exposed if major damage or injury occurs and urged requiring insurance for all outside organizations. Attorney Saint Laurent explained there is a "recreational use" legal defense that can apply to Springfield organizations but may not shield the city for non‑Springfield groups that pay for programming.

Mister Gonzales said he supported the policy as amended but committed to asking the building and maintenance subcommittee to study the insurance question and cost and affordability of event insurance. Committee members agreed to move the policy forward with that commitment to follow up.

Vote

The motion to approve the amended school building permit policy passed on a roll‑call vote (Gonzales: yes; Attorney Murphy: yes; Collins: yes; Gresham: yes; Hurst: yes; Monroe Naylor: no; Mayor Sarno: yes).

Follow up and implementation

- The committee chair of the building and maintenance subcommittee will return with an analysis of the frequency of insurance waivers, estimated costs of day‑event liability insurance for outside groups, and recommended language for paragraph 8. - Staff and legal counsel will provide guidance to schools about insurance requirements and examples of low‑cost event insurance vendors.

Ending

Committee members praised the subcommittee's work and agreed the change will help local youth organizations; the committee recorded the roll‑call vote and moved to the next agenda item.