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Youth league questions sudden spike in district facility fees; policy committee to review
Summary
A representative of a local youth flag-football league told the Neshaminy School District board the league faces potentially steep new rental fees for school fields and gyms. District staff said the fee structure will be discussed at the policy committee on March 20 and offered to meet with the league.
Jason Neil, who identified himself as a representative of LSAA flag football, told the Neshaminy School District Board of School Directors that his volunteer-run league faces new rental charges for district facilities that threaten the program’s viability.
“Prior years ... the field use hasn't cost us anything at all to use it. This year, we received notice that it's gonna cost us anywhere from $50 to $75 an hour,” Neil said, and added that he learned a gym rental previously charged at about $8 an hour was now listed at $225 an hour. “I make $0 running this flag football league. Nothing goes into my pocket. Everything is for the kids.”
The matter drew a response from Superintendent Bowman, who said the district’s policy committee will take up facility usage fees at its March 20 meeting. ‘‘That process ... is driven through our policy committee. It is on the agenda to be discussed at that policy committee meeting. Again, that is March 20,’’ Bowman said, and offered to meet with Neil after that meeting or speak by phone sooner.
Neil said the league has nearly 200 families signed up and that LSAA is organized as a 501(c)(3); he asked for a fee reduction so families could continue to participate. District staff flagged differences between nonprofit leagues and other groups, saying different fee structures may apply.
No formal action or vote was taken at the board meeting. Board members and staff directed the issue to the policy committee for review and offered the commenter a follow-up meeting to discuss fee structure and any possible exceptions or reduced rates.
Why it matters: The proposed fee increases would affect volunteer-run youth sports that use district fields and gyms, potentially increasing costs for families and organizers. The board’s policy committee will review the district’s facility-use policy, fee schedule and exceptions before the board takes further action.
What’s next: The policy committee is scheduled to meet in this room on March 20 at 6:30 p.m.; superintendent Bowman offered to meet with the league representative after the committee discussion or sooner by phone.
