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Board debates facility‑use policies as it approves some after‑the‑fact fee waivers
Summary
The Waterbury Board approved several custodial‑fee waivers for outside groups but debated that some events occurred before formal approval; district staff acknowledged the error and pledged to require advance applications going forward.
The Waterbury Board of Education approved multiple custodial‑fee waivers and spent substantial time debating facility‑use procedures after some events occurred without prior board approval.
Commissioner Anthony Ireland moved to approve a custodial fee waiver of $378 for Yeshiva K. Tiana to hold a graduation at Willby High School; the motion was seconded and recorded as carried after discussion about the event purpose. The board also considered a $695 waiver for Hangtime Choice Awards at Rotella Magnet School. Members noted the Hangtime event took place before formal approval and discussed instituting a 30‑day advance application requirement; district staff described the late submissions as an internal process error.
District staff acknowledged the lapse. As one administrator put it, “in error, our error that the facility was used before the approval was granted... That will not happen again,” and told commissioners the office would change procedures and fee schedules to prevent after‑the‑fact approvals.
Not all waiver requests passed. A request from Waterbury Nights Dance Group for a $1,332 custodial‑fee waiver was rejected after board members noted the group charged $15 admission, and verbal votes failed to reach approval. Commissioners also debated a Catholic Academy request for multiple dates at Gil Martin School and questioned why the academy would need district space when it reportedly has its own gym; several members signaled they would not support that waiver given the schedule and fee amount.
The debate highlighted friction between supporting community programs and enforcing rules that protect district resources. Several commissioners emphasized they support community access to facilities but said the board should not approve waivers retroactively or allow fee-free use when events generate revenue. The board asked staff to draft clearer procedures for internal versus external requests, fee waivers, and a timeline for applications.
Next steps: staff said they will circulate internal fee schedules and proposed procedural changes to the board’s Building and Facilities committee.
