MORGAN -- The Morgan County School Board is writing its latest policy to discourage for-profit groups from using public school buildings.
"We want to discourage commercial entities from making money using public facilities," Superintendent Ken Adams said.
The building rental policy contemplates the time of day school facilities are used, as well as the need to pay for someone to open, close or supervise the facility.
Noncommercial groups such as a community orchestra could use school facilities for $15 per hour. Commercial groups would have to pay $50 an hour for use of the same facilities. Playing fields will go for $15 per hour for noncommercial groups, but $50 per hour for commercial groups. The high school football field will cost $50 and $300, respectively, for noncommercial and commercial use.
"These are pretty big increases," board Chairman Joey Skinner said.
Fees will be put into maintenance funds to pay for utility expenses, Business Administrator D'Lynn Poll said.
"Try to do everything you can to discourage commercial use," Adams advised the board during a recent work session. He said the district has a legal responsibility to provide civic groups with a facility at cost, but not commercial groups.
Galbraith said auditoriums, football fields and computer labs need to be protected for use of students.
"We need to give (commercial groups) a reason not to use it," he said.
The board will review the proposed rates again at its December meeting.
The recently discussed rates don't apply to the Trojan Century Center, which is still under construction. The board plans to continue working on a rental policy governing use of that facility.
Comments