The community school concept is one that has been around for a number of years.
Basically it recognizes the fact that school buildings, in cooperation with other local governments and organizations, should be available for use outside of school-only functions.
The logic is that the funding to build and maintain such buildings comes from the same source -- the local taxpayers.
Sometimes local governments lose sight of this fact.
That's why we would like to take the opportunity to remind the Tremonton City Council that Bear River High School is not just an entity of the Box Elder School District, but an institution and facility that has a broad community function.
This month the city council turned down a request for funds to remodel the school's auditorium. Three years ago voters in the district, including those in Tremonton, approved a school bond issue to improve the school's infrastructure. However, the auditorium wasn't on the list.
So the Garland Civic Club approached the city council for a donation to purchase a sound system and curtains for the auditorium.
It wasn't so much that the council said no to the request, it was the way they said no.
We understand that all government entities are strapped for money these days with the economic downturn, but some of the council members seemed to forget that the school district and city serve the same population.
"This is the school district's building. If they want it fixed, they can use money from the bond to fix it," said Mayor Max Weese. "I don't feel comfortable using taxpayer money meant for Tremonton to fix the auditorium."
Note to mayor: school bonds are also taxpayer money from the same citizens.
In Davis County, some cities have actually partnered with the school district to help fund improvements to gymnasiums in exchange for use by city recreation programs.
If there is a part of a school that has a broad community function, it is the auditorium.
It's a shame that the Tremonton City Council lost sight of this role and instead seemed to have an us versus them attitude when it came to the request. If the council couldn't give money, then they should have offered encouragement and support for efforts to raise money to pay for the improvements.
However, we are happy to report that the Garland Civic Club wasn't discouraged by the cool reception, and has taken up the effort to coordinate fundraising efforts. The group has made the cause its 2010 fundraising project. The group plans to hold fundraising events throughout the year and approach area businesses for donations.
The club has opened an account at Box Elder Credit Union under the name of "Bear River High School Auditorium Fund."
Bear River High plays an integral role in serving not just Tremonton, but all of northern Box Elder County. All the communities in the area have a stake in its function and facilities.
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