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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW 'Storm' was not very wet for Rogue Valley, but did dampen fire threat ... Calling out the troops ... Pot businesses have eyes on Medford ... 'Storm' was not very wet for Rogue Valley, but did dampen fire threat ... Calling out the troops ... Pot businesses have eyes on Medford ... OUR VIEW Our View: School district fee plan still has a few wrinkles MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 26, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Aug. 26, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> 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.  MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 26, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501