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Committee approves sending MOU on campus gym use with Richland School District to full county board
Summary
After debate over scheduling, custodial responsibility and weight‑room access, the standing committee approved sending a draft memorandum of understanding with the Richland School District to the full county board; two members voted no.
The Richland County Executive and Finance Standing Committee voted May 13 to forward a draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Richland School District on use of a campus gymnasium to the full county board for approval.
The MOU, drafted after discussions between county staff and the school district, would allow both the county (as represented by Simons/Simon Center) and the school district to use the gym and certain adjoining fields and courts. The draft specifies at least quarterly coordination meetings to negotiate schedules and says each party will leave the space as they found it, making each party responsible for custodial cleanup after its use. The MOU also states the school district shall not collect fees for events held at the gym. The county removed a request from the district that would have provided access to the main weight room because county maintenance staff expressed safety and mechanical concerns.
Committee members debated whether the Simon Center or the school district should have primary management and scheduling authority. Several members said a single coordination point is necessary to avoid conflicts; others said the school’s scheduling systems could ease administrative burden for Simons. Chairman and staff said the draft gives the county first priority for use and requires the school district to coordinate so proposed uses do not interfere with county uses. The draft allows either party to terminate the agreement with 30 days’ notice.
Supervisor Wendell said he preferred the facility be managed through Simon Center and expressed reservations about the draft. Supervisor Ingrid and others said Simon Center has proven grant and program success and supported moving the MOU forward to test the arrangement. The motion to forward the MOU to the full county board passed; Supervisors Gill and Cooley opposed and said they preferred alternate management or more certainty on coordination.
The committee’s action sends the draft MOU to the full county board, which will review and may approve, amend or reject the agreement.
