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District presents first reading of proposed facility rental-rate increases; staff recommends annual adjustments
Summary
Paradise Valley Unified staff presented a first reading proposing higher custodian and technician hourly rates, a 21.31% utility increase, and a change to hourly classroom billing to reflect rising wages, supplies and utilities; board discussion focused on renter classifications and exemptions for school-related uses.
Paradise Valley Unified School District staff presented a first reading recommending increases to community-education facility rental rates and an annual adjustment mechanism to keep fees aligned with rising costs.
Natalie Wilcox, director of community education, told the governing board the district last raised rates in 2014 and now faces higher wages, supply costs and utilities. She recommended increasing custodial personnel billing from $28 to $35 per hour and technicians from $28 to $40 per hour. Wilcox also proposed a 21.31% increase to published utility fees effective July 1, 2025, and suggested moving classroom rentals from a daily to an hourly billing basis. The proposal includes an annual adjustment tied to the district's projected wage and supply cost increases.
Wilcox explained that custodial and technician fees cover personnel and supplies used when community groups rent space and that the district's current published rates are at the low end of comparable districts. She described classification tiers for renters: class 1 (school use), class 2 (501(c)(3) nonprofits) and class 3 (for-profit users). School-related activities, student enrichment and staff uses would remain class 1 and are not subject to the new fees, she said.
Board members asked whether existing community renters such as Girl Scouts would face significant changes. Staff said typical short-duration users (an hour or two) would be charged hourly under the new model beginning July 1, 2025, and that many school-related uses would remain exempt as class 1. Members asked about technician availability and the district's practice of contracting external technicians when needed; staff said outside professionals have been used and would be paid for separately when required.
This was a first read; the board did not vote. Staff said they would return to the board with final recommended rates following feedback and additional review.
