Octorara to enact fee-for-use policy

Community groups which use Octorara Area School District facilities will soon pay a fee for this formerly free service, according to a policy the school board anticipates adopting in December.

The 11-page policy, which will assess fees ranging from $25 to $100 for field use and from $25 to $250 for room and gymnasium use, passed on first reading Nov. 16 and will likely be adopted Dec. 14.

School board members, who chose to make the change due to a tight budget and tax increases, debated the move for several months and heard from members of the Octorara YMCA, who asked for leeway as the school board considered a fee-for-use policy.

Superintendent Tom Newcome said he would like to continue to see regular community uses of facilities, but fees are fiscally responsible.

“There are some in the community who have the concept the YMCA has some deep pockets,” said board member Robert Hume. “That’s not true in the Octorara area. This will be a burden.”

The facilities use policy also prohibits use of schools for “subversive” activities and teaching, gambling or illegal activities, demonstrations and parades contrary to public welfare, and illegal activities. It states facilities are available on Sundays only after 1 p.m., and gives the district the ability to assign police protection at the expense of organizations if deemed necessary by school officials.

The policy outlines guidelines for use and cleaning, and requires nonschool organizations to have liability insurance.

Some groups, such as school and athletic booster clubs, school teams and PTO organizations, will continue to have free use, as will non-profit groups such as the American Cancer Society, unless special custodial or equipment is necessary.

The policy only applies to fee-assessing groups such as Boy and Girl Scouts, church and community sports groups, universities, and the YMCA, as well as private for-profit groups.

Nationally known math consultants Carol Antes and Janie Zimmer also gave the board a six-point overview of a curriculum initiative which administrators say is improving the district's K-12 math program.

The program focuses on applying math problem-solving to real-life situations using: equity, best educational practices, a strong coordinated curriculum, technology, professional development, and student support.

Newcome and Assistant Superintendent Nancy Bishop explained Zimmer and Antes have visited the campus since 2007 and the school district has spent about $87,000 for consultants in the past two years.

The administrators prepared a lengthy summary of the district's math program following questions during school board meetings about math progress. The report is available on request from the district office.

In personnel matters, the school board hired: Jean Coldiron as a substitute high school special education teacher, Lisa Rohrer as a clerical assistant, Lee Krug as a high school girls lacrosse coach, Rebekah Doane (who resigned as a secretary) as an as-needed interpreter, Katie Doane as a long-term substitute third grade teacher, Robert Steffy as a software support specialist, Cheryl Johnson as a well-being assistant, Deborah Pizolato as a lunch/playground assistant, Jane Markman as a substitute gifted/reading teacher, Kyle Whary as an eighth grade girls basketball coach, Robin Elias as a middle school cheerleading coach, and Tammy Anthony as an instructional assistant and third grade reading coach.

Since construction at the high school uncovered additional asbestos, the board approved spending $35,000 for its removal.

Finally, the school board approved use of the high school for a wiffle ball tournament from 12:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, and amendments to the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau bylaws.