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Board approves facility-use request while parents and members dispute steep after‑school fees
Summary
The Orange Board voted 7-0 to approve a facility‑use request (L‑2) Sept. 11 but faced parents' complaints that after‑school provider fees rose dramatically; the district clarified it does not set private provider prices and shortened the contract term to Dec. 2024 to maintain access control.
At its Sept. 11 meeting the Orange Board of Education voted to approve facility-use request L‑2 after debate over after‑school program costs that several parents and board members described as burdensome.
The motion to approve L‑2 was moved by Mr. Derrick Henry and seconded by Mr. David Armstrong and passed by roll call with seven yeas, zero nays and two absences. During discussion, parents and board members said family charges for the program had risen sharply in recent months. Board member Ms. Samantha Crockett reported that one program's fee had increased from $200 to $720 per month at one point, was negotiated to $250, but ultimately appeared as a $500 monthly charge for some families; board members said families who cannot afford the $500 rate were offered an adjusted rate of $62.50 per week (equivalent to $250 per month) if they contacted program leader Ms. Moore.
Mr. Siaka Sherif told the board that parents consider the provider charges “exorbitant” and pledged to continue negotiations on fees. Board member Ms. Sueann Gravesande clarified that the standard facility use fee charged by the district has been $5,000 and has not changed. Finance staff member Jason Ballard told the board that the district does not set private provider prices and that, to retain control over building access while discussions continue, the board would shorten the contract period from June 2025 to December 2024.
Attorney Jessica Kleen and Superintendent Dr. Gerald Fitzhugh also described a related effort to partner with SPAN (a New Jersey parent-advocacy organization focused on special education needs) after a public commenter asked about the program; board leadership said that partnership work emerged from the special education committee.
Board members said they will keep working with families and the provider to try to resolve fee and scheduling concerns; no further formal action on provider pricing was taken at the meeting.
