The board voted 6-2 to propose a policy to establish fees for organizations using district facilities and grounds.
Before and during their meeting Wednesday, Ringgold School Board directors clashed over policies regarding the use of facilities and school grounds.
Policy No. 707, which had been on hold for the past few months, was again postponed by a vote of 6-2 because the school district charges nonprofit organizations fees for use of district facilities.
Principals Heather Wilhelm, Sarah Fine, Sherrie Garry, Gail Glaneman, Paul Mountain and Maureen Ott voted to delay the motion. Principals Carol Flament and Jason Briscoe opposed. Principal Steven Toprani was absent.
The purpose of this policy is to permit the public to use school buildings or parts of school buildings and all land and other property of the school under its control when such facilities are not used for school purposes.
It could be used for school-sponsored groups, school-affiliated groups, community groups, nonprofit organizations, and private interest/profit organizations.
Glaneman expressed concerns about the wording of this directive.
“Under item four, for nonprofits, we say that ‘501(c)(3) organizations or similar organizations may be permitted to use school facilities at a reduced rental rate,’ and yet we do not disclose that reduced rental rate,” Glaneman said. “So I feel like there are some nonprofits that may be interested in using (the facilities), whether it’s an auditorium to further their special interests, a gymnasium or a cafeteria, and yet we charge them the same rate as a for-profit entity (because they are not), which is consistent with the language that we have established.”
Ott agreed. “Also, I think raising your rates from $150 a day to $200 an hour is more than a 24-fold increase in one fell swoop. And I think that’s excessive. And that’s just one example. So you’re basically saying you don’t want people to use your facilities, and I think that’s wrong. I don’t agree with that.”
Flament argued that some of the organizations using Ringgold’s facilities may not even be nonprofits and the board can adjust the fee for the organization. She also said everyone should pay the same price.
“What annoys me is that I wasn’t here last month. This was distributed to everyone who was here at the meeting. Then we had another meeting about it and there were four people present and now we’re putting it back on the table tonight – how many more months are we going to put this on the table? Why hasn’t anyone come back and said, ‘Hey, we’re going down from $150 to $200 an hour, that’s a little ridiculous, but can’t we compromise and go to $125 an hour?’ There’s been no communication until tonight.”
Glaneman disagreed, saying she had expressed her concerns at other meetings, previously mentioning the cost of renting the facilities and pointing out the distinction between a nonprofit and for-profit organization.
“They have to have 501(c)(3) documents with the IRS. I don’t know if you believe it or not, but they have to,” Glaneman said. “That’s my opinion and I think I’m entitled to my opinion. Don’t you think the phrase ‘may be allowed in school buildings for reduced rent’ is ambiguous? Who do you think is going to determine who gets a reduced rate and who doesn’t?”
Superintendent Randall Skrinjorich said the language in the policy has always existed, and he has discussed with the board what is and is not a nonprofit, which ultimately depends on whether the organization has 501(c)(3) status.
Wilhelm said the policy was “inconsistent” and voted to postpone the discussion.
Briscoe will collect the board’s concerns via email so the policy can be further discussed at the next committee meeting and the regular meeting on Sept. 10.
