When school districts forget about people and become just another government agency they need reminders like this. I wrote this at the request of Jason Porter. I hope it helps.
Garfield County School District
Superintendent: ben.dalton@garfk12.org
cc: Business Administrator: kevin.orton@garfk12.org
cc: School Board Rep: kenp@scinternet.net
I salute you in your efforts to standardize the building rental policy and procedures in an attempt to obtain fairness and equality. That works in urban districts where the environments are equal. It does not work in districts with isolated communities.
Small rural districts have unique challenges because of limited resources, volunteers and funding. This requires partnerships with cities, businesses, and volunteers. Escalante has always stepped up to those challenges.
When Fire Station #1 was built in Town Center Park it displaced the “ball park”. The school district partnered with the volunteers and allowed unused and undeveloped property to be developed for the purpose of a “ball park” for the bantom league. There was, to my knowledge, no discussion about fees, etc., it was a community effort. When Potato Valley Lions Club donated $750 for materials to build the dugouts, there was no discussion of usage fees. When the business community donated time and equipment to level the field, install fencing, and grade an access road, there was no mention of fees. And when efforts by members of various organizations helped the district lay water pipe for irrigation water, they didn’t ask to get paid.
I believe you need to revisit your decision regarding the excessive, on-going fees that are being proposed for use of the “community field”. Liability insurance needs to be provided by those using the field, but in good faith the school board needs, in my opinion, to recognize the hundreds of dollars of in-kind work and other funds and allow use of the field by the bantom program for a set amount of time without additional fees. It should not be forever, but it should be fair.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Jana Hassett,
Past President – Potato Valley Lions Club
Escalante Business Owner