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August 26. 2015 12:01AM Our View: School district fee plan still has a few wrinkles A Medford School District official says the district is still "ironing out the details" of a new plan to charge fees to community groups that use district facilities for youth programs. With less than a week before the new policy is supposed to take effect, it hardly sounds ready to wear. Community groups from the YMCA to Manny's Basketball Association have used district buildings for years. These are nonprofit organizations that charge fees to families whose children participate. In some cases, having to pay the district $10 an hour or more for the use would mean passing on the cost to the families in the form of higher fees. And remember, that's $10 an hour for practices as well as games. That could very easily price some kids out of participating — quite likely in many cases the kids who would most benefit from being involved in a team sport or activity. Some organizations may be "exempted" from paying the new fees, but it's not clear how that decision will be made. In the case of the YMCA, having to pay the fees would add up to $150,000 a year — a significant expense for any organization. The Y has been providing programs for local youths for decades, since the district asked the YMCA to provide elementary-school sports during a budget crunch. It also runs after-school programs. The YMCA's executive director says he was told the after-school programs "most likely" would be exempt, but that isn't definite. Meanwhile, the district uses the YMCA pools for high school swim and water-polo teams, and for independent physical education for students. The YMCA could justifiably charge the district for those services, although a "fee war" wouldn't be in anyone's best interest. The district certainly needs to watch its budget. But there is no indication that outside use has suddenly increased dramatically, and the district has managed to provide facilities for non-school uses up to this point. The district has charged adult groups for several years, which caused the city's Parks and Recreation Department to stop using schools for adult sports programs. But unlike the city, which has its own Sports Park and other city parks available, youth organizations have few alternatives. While the district's budget concerns are understandable, this community responded when the district asked residents to pay millions of dollars for new and remodeled school buildings. Those buildings' primary function is public education, but they are also a community resource. District officials should keep that in mind as they "iron out the details" of this new proposal.  http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150826/OPINION/150829733 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->