Board approves new facility rental fee structure, adds reduced rate for youth-serving nonprofits
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Summary
The board voted to approve revised community education facility rental fees and signaled upcoming changes to Board Policy 902 and a procedure for equipment use; administration said rates were raised to align with peer districts and add a 50% reduced rate for approved local nonprofits serving district youth.
The St. Cloud Public School District Board of Education on Oct. 15 approved revised community education facility rental fees that increase standard rates and create a new reduced category for qualifying local nonprofit organizations primarily serving district youth.
Shannon Davidson, executive director of community education and community partnerships, presented the proposal and said the update was prompted in part by the district's plan to build a multipurpose athletic facility at Apollo and by a comparison showing district rates were "significantly lower than average fees across comparable districts and venues." Davidson introduced Nanda Viswanathan, the district's coordinator of facilities, as a key staff member who helped prepare the recommendation.
Under the proposed structure the district will retain a priority Category 1 with no fees for ISD 742 activities (district events, school athletic contests, community education programs and elections). The new Category 2 would offer a 50% reduced fee for local 501(c)(3) nonprofits primarily serving district 742 youth that are approved district community partners and that do not charge gate fees. All other users will pay the revised full rates.
Davidson told the board the 50% reduction for qualifying organizations "was set at a rate that does not jeopardize us going into the red" and that administration will reevaluate fees again once the Apollo athletic complex opens (targeted 2027). The recommended full-price increases were developed from comparisons with other districts and local venues including St. Cloud State and the YMCA.
Board member Al Dahlgren moved to approve the community education facility rental fees as presented; Diana Fenton seconded the motion. The vote was called by board clerk Zach Dorholtz and recorded as: Zach Dorholtz, yes; Diana Fenton, yes; Shannon Hutz, yes; Natalie Copeland, yes; Al Dahlgren, yes. The motion passed unanimously.
Davidson also presented a first reading of proposed revised Board Policy 902, "Use of school district facilities and equipment," which would add language authorizing the superintendent or designee to revoke or cancel facility use requests for noncompliance and would require certificate of insurance and allow a future administrative procedure on school equipment use. She said the administration will return with a corresponding procedure for Board review and approval.
Board discussion touched on timing for future fee reviews. Davidson said the district plans to reassess rates when the multipurpose athletic facility opens and to review procedures with business services before returning with final language for Policy 902. The board scheduled follow-up discussions with the finance and policy committees as appropriate.
