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Policy committee forwards updated school-facilities use policy after debate on fees and custodial coverage
Summary
Groton’s policy committee voted 3-0 to send a revised use-of-school-facilities policy to the full board after discussing group-based fees (examples: $500/day, $1,000/day), custodial/staff presence thresholds, and possible impacts on recurring community groups.
The policy committee voted unanimously June 9 to forward revisions to P1330 (use of school facilities) to the full board for a first reading after administrators described updated pricing categories and operational considerations.
Susan, a committee member, and other members discussed three user groups: group 1 (school and local-government use with first priority and no fee for school community events), group 2 (local non-government nonprofits at a reduced fee) and group 3 (for-profit or out-of-town organizations at full fee). The committee heard sample pricing — $500 for group 2 and $1,000 for group 3 for use of a high-school auditorium — and that fees may also cover custodial, technical, kitchen, or police costs.
Members asked for clearer guidance about when a staff member is ‘‘ordinarily present’’ versus when a user must pay for custodial coverage (for example, after 5 p.m.), citing recurring community events (a dance troupe and youth teams) that could be affected by new charges. The committee asked staff to provide evidence of users and fee impacts so the board can weigh potential unintended consequences.
The motion to send P1330 to the full board was approved 3-0 (moved by Sean, seconded by Andrea). The policy will proceed to the board for first reading; staff said appendix A will contain the specific pricing chart and operational details.
