Board debates fees, instrument rentals and deficit in recreation/golf fund

At a June 29 special meeting, the Wooster Board of Education heard explanations of school fees and debated the sustainability of the district's G recreation (referred to in discussion as the golf) fund and facility rental policies.

The superintendent described school fees for high-school classes (materials and family consumer science), music fees for uniform cleaning and a two-tier instrument rental system at the middle school. She said students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch are exempt from fees. The board recorded a superintendent consent motion that included a hire and a resignation and approved it by roll call.

Board members then spent substantial time on the G/golf fund. Staff explained the fund has operated in the red and that the district typically transfers money into it annually. Board members noted most users are youth and senior groups who pay modest fees, that rentals for private tournaments generate more revenue, and that some facility uses (in-district practices) are not charged at market rates. One board member summarized the tension: you cannot both want low fees and avoid supporting the facility financially.

The board approved permanent transfers—including $450,000 to a severance/termination fund and roughly $66,000 to the G/golf fund—to cover liabilities and ongoing losses. Members said the G fund had been separated from athletics this year to better track its cash position.

The meeting also included a discussion of district insurance appraisals under the Ohio School Plan; board members said an appraiser had placed values (including a baseball turf valuation of more than $800,000) that staff later reduced. Trustees said they will explore appraisal and insurance options in the future.

The meeting adjourned after the board completed its listed motions.