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Deer Park staff propose streamlined facilities-use rules, minimal fees and clearer booking process
Summary
District leaders presented an updated facilities-use policy emphasizing equitable community access while prioritizing student activities, a minimal fees approach to cover personnel/overtime costs and plans for an online application; presenters warned some events can require large overtime staffing and high-value spaces (theater/press box) will have restricted access.
District staff presented an updated facilities-use procedure intended to make community bookings more transparent and to ensure district needs take priority when conflicts arise.
Staff emphasized a "very minimum" fee structure that focuses on personnel costs, explaining outside events often require overtime for custodial, food services and maintenance staff. "We had a facilities use, I think, on Saturday by one of our booster groups at the high school, which was great, but it required 3 cooks and a full day custodian. Well, that's 1200 plus dollars, and that's only personnel fees," a presenter said while illustrating the staffing cost drivers behind the proposed fees.
The update proposes booking "windows" timed to middle-school athletics to reduce conflicts, requires proof of liability insurance for outside requesters and specifies that a custodian or authorized staff member must be present. Staff also said theater and press-box equipment will be restricted because those areas are used for Monday classes and contain new, expensive electronics.
Community members and a custodian who spoke at the meeting urged clearer points of contact and industry-standard protections for gym-floor use (for example, forbidding packing tape and requiring carpet samples under heavy equipment). Staff said they will publish the fee schedule and process on the district website, build an online application, and continue to refine operational parameters with legal and facilities teams.
Next steps: staff will post the facilities use policy and fee schedule online, test the online request form, and work with athletic and maintenance staff to finalize restrictions for high-value spaces.
