(11/24) Almost 20 years ago, the Fairfield Area School District Board of Directors adopted a facility use schedule. The current administration is unsure why it was shelved or if it was ever actually used. However, it will likely soon be resurrected.
During the board’s October meeting, Superintendent Thomas Haupt said a special committee favors the 2006 plan over other proposals. The committee was convened after the board expressed concerns about a proposal Haupt presented in September.
The plan does not charge programs that directly support the district’s program of education for most items. It also includes tiered rates for Fairfield youth sports, travel teams, and organizations not based in Fairfield or operating on a for-profit basis. Haupt said the committee was mostly concerned about the financial implications fees would have on Fairfield area youth sports.
"This should be what is in place currently," Haupt said.
Haupt said that even though the board approved the fee schedule 18 years ago, he will be asking the current board to revote on it since it sat idle. He emphasized that the administration wishes to recoup costs for staff time and equipment wear and tear, not raise money through leagues and teams.
"I am not up here saying we should overcharge sports in Fairfield," Haupt said. "It’s our job administratively to bring these things to you as a board for you to consider and work through."
He added that he values athletics and wants them to succeed in Fairfield. The district has worked to improve its facilities in recent years and Haupt believes it must have the funds to maintain them in the future.
"Lots of studies show that kids who are involved tend to score higher and get in less trouble," Haupt said.
Board Vice President Jack Liller said the proposal allows teams and leagues to customize their rental package based on financial ability.
"If you don’t want to pay to use the scoreboard, you can bring your own flip-a-number thing," he said.
The board concurred that travel teams and organizations that are not based in Fairfield would need to have at least 80% of their team comprised of Fairfield residents to qualify for the district rate. Groups wishing to use the stadium or gymnasium concession stands must work through Fairfield Athletes Stand Together, a booster organization.
Haupt’s proposal is similar to others in place in Adams County school districts.
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