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Board grants Emanuel German School one‑year waiver, sets 25% facilities fee for 2026‑27
Summary
After hearing that the newly adopted facilities fee schedule would sharply raise rental costs for the Emanuel German School, the Lower Moreland board voted to grant a one‑year waiver and set the nonprofit’s 2026‑27 fee at 25% of the new schedule; the business office will send formal notice.
The Lower Moreland Board of School Directors voted April 21 to grant a one‑year waiver under policy 707 for the Emanuel German School, setting the organization’s 2026‑27 facilities fee at 25% of the district’s newly adopted fee schedule.
Why it matters: Emanuel German School told district officials its projected cost under the new a‑la‑carte schedule would jump from roughly $10,000 annually to as much as $95,000 given the number of classrooms and days it leases. Board members described the increase as potentially devastating for the nonprofit and debated alternatives — phased increases, a percentage discount, or grandfathering longtime renters — before approving a temporary relief.
Board discussion: Several board members urged sensitivity toward the organization’s long‑term use of district space and recommended a discount or phase‑in. One participant summarized Emanuel’s estimate: "They're looking at, according to them, and it seems rather accurate, is roughly $95,000 for their rental for the school year, which jumping from going from $10,000 for this year to $95,000 I think we can all understand how that could be a major blow, especially to a nonprofit." Administrators clarified the new schedule updated long‑outdated rental rates and said the board may waive the policy for a given year.
Motion and outcome: Board member [name recorded in the minutes as the mover] moved to "provide a waiver regarding policy 707 for the Emanuel School" and to set the cost for the ensuing year at 25% of what the fee schedule would otherwise require; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board directed the business office to draft written communication to Emanuel German School the next day.
Context and implication: Administration and several board members said the district needed to modernize rental fees to reflect regional comparables and facility costs, but acknowledged the sudden increase could imperil longtime outside users. Several board members suggested options such as reducing the number of requested rooms or phasing increases over multiple years. The waiver applies only to the 2026‑27 year; the board noted the organization may request future waivers but would need to do so annually.
Next steps: Business office staff will draft and send the waiver letter to Emanuel German School; the board suggested staff include the fee calculation and any expectations about future requests.
