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Easton School Committee debates new facilities‑use fee schedule; first reading seeks community feedback
Summary
District facilities director proposed dramatically revised lease/fee rules for Blanche Ames and other schools to raise revenue and recoup custodial, managerial and equipment costs. The committee held a first reading and asked for usage data and clearer tier definitions before second reading.
Tony Copas, the district director of facilities and operations, presented a first reading of a revised facilities‑use and rental fee policy on Feb. 13 that proposes new and higher charges for community and private use of school spaces, including custodial, stadium manager and equipment fees.
Why it matters: With the town and school budget under stress, the district is exploring revenue options and trying to capture fees to pay for wear‑and‑tear and staffing associated with outside use. The proposed schedule assigns spaces to usage tiers (tier 1: nonprofits; tier 2: for‑profit; a separate designation for town departments), raises many existing charges and adds new service fees (stadium manager, custodial overtime, audiovisual and scoreboard operation, chair/table rental, parking stall rentals and lighting/pickleball/tennis hourly fees).
Key details: Copas said the last comprehensive fee review was about 2016. Classroom rates in the draft are modest (example: $40/day for many rooms for nonprofit groups) while athletic and performance spaces have hourly or higher rates. The package includes a stadium manager requirement when the district rents athletic fields or the press box; the renter would also cover custodial, cafeteria and scoreboard operator costs where appropriate. Chair and table rental fees, added to recover replacement costs, would be charged to lessees. The redlined draft ties fee revenue to maintenance of the leased area (attorney guidance): fees “cannot be used for other purposes.”
Questions from committee and public: Members sought clarity about who qualifies as a "community group" and how town Recreation (Rec) activities will be classified. Committee members asked for a user list showing current groups and summer bookings, and whether existing summer reservations would be grandfathered. Tony Copas said invoices already include a notice that rates will change as of July 1 and said the intent was to publish a searchable calendar and contact process online.
Next steps: The item was a first reading only. Committee members asked Copas to provide: 1) a complete list of current users and summer reservations, 2) a parallel table comparing Easton's rates to nearby communities, and 3) clearer tier definitions that distinguish Rec‑sponsored programs from independent community groups. The district indicated the goal, if approved, would be an effective date of July 1 to allow community organizers time to plan.
Ending: Officials said fees are being considered because the district cannot sustain facility maintenance and additional staffing for rentals without revenue. The committee requested additional data and will return the policy for a second reading after those materials are provided.
