Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School officials propose modest rental increases and defend higher custodial-detail rates; committee seeks clearer fees and outreach
Summary
District staff proposed a mostly 5% increase in several rental categories to cover contractual custodial costs and streamlined rate tables but committee members urged clearer website guidance, example invoices for PTOs/nonprofits, and further outreach before finalizing field and facility charges.
Mr. Schwitzer reviewed year‑to‑date rental use (August–April), showing roughly 525 rental requests with about 82% internal district uses. He proposed a streamlined, condensed rental-rate schedule and a modest 5% increase for preschool tuition, transportation and many facility rental categories to cover contractual custodial-cost increases.
A central point of committee discussion was the custodial-detail rate and its three‑hour contractual minimum. Committee members and community representatives said the custodial charge and three‑hour minimum can be confusing and cost‑prohibitive for small neighborhood groups and PTO meetings. Mr. Schwitzer defended adjusting the custodial charge to match contractual costs, saying the prior $50/hour rate did not cover the district’s actual expenditures on detail custodians.
Miss Exton and Dr. Alison Nampy asked for clearer examples on the rate sheet — for instance, showing both the full group three rate and the reduced nonprofit rate — and for website changes so renters can approximate costs before filing permit requests. Several committee members suggested convening stakeholder groups (PTOs, youth sports, recreation department) after the spring season to gather feedback on scheduling, calendaring defaults and access to high‑school fields and auditoria.
The superintendent and Mr. Schwitzer said they would return with a revised rate sheet for a second read, and sought additional community input before a final vote; Monomony preschool tuition and transportation fees were approved at this meeting with a roll‑call vote (6–0) while other rates were held for revision.
Motion and vote: The School Committee moved and approved the Monomony preschool tuition rates and transportation fees for FY27 (motion moved and seconded; roll call 6–0). That motion was the only fee item voted tonight; remaining rental revisions will return for a second reading.
