Youth sports leaders tell Cajon Valley board field‑use fees are pricing out local leagues

Two volunteer-run youth-sports leaders told the Cajon Valley Union School District board on Sept. 9 that recent increases in facility fees are threatening programs that rely on school fields.

Josh Bailey, assistant district administrator for Little League District 41, said the fees ‘‘have started to create a significant barrier to entry for many families’’ and asked the board to consider reducing or eliminating nonprofit fees for leagues that partner with schools. He emphasized the leagues’ volunteer investment in field maintenance and capital improvements and framed the request as a community reinvestment.

Brandon Becker, president of Rancho Deora Little League, told trustees his league received an invoice of $27,000 to use Rancho San Diego Elementary this year, compared with about $4,600 in 2022. Becker said Rancho Deora serves roughly 450 local families and has invested thousands of volunteer hours and private dollars to improve facilities; the recent fee, he said, could force the league to curtail operations.

"We are simply asking for a fair and reasonable nonprofit fee policy that allows us to keep this little league alive," Becker said.

Trustee responses: board members thanked commenters and directed district staff to meet with league representatives and prepare a report on the fee structure and any proposed policy revisions. Superintendent David Miro and other staff were asked to meet with league leaders and return with options.

What's next: trustees asked staff to provide a report on the status of nonprofit field-use fees and policy options. League leaders requested follow-up meetings with the superintendent and board members to discuss adjustments.