As part of the Williamsport Area School Board's Tuesday agenda, it unanimously approved waiving the occupancy fee for four organizations that will use district facilities.
During the meeting, Thomas Zimmerman, board vice president, asked why the fees were waived and wondered if the district ever charged any outside entity for use of its facilities.
Dr. Kathleen Kelley, superintendent, explained that the district typically waives any occupancy fee for non-profit organizations. But she also explained that the district will charge those groups for custodial or other services that it may need during its event.
Of the four fees being waived, the lowest was $40 for six hours of use of a cafeteria at the high school and the largest amount was a $700 fee for 24 hours at the football stadium.
"If it's a non-profit and they're not charging an admission fee for (the event) then we typically waive the fee," Jeffrey Richards, business manager, explained after the meeting.
He said if an organization charges any amount for entrance to an event, then the district does not waive the fee. Only the waiving of an occupancy fee needs board approval, which is why Richards told Zimmerman that the board usually doesn't hear about the fee being enforced.
Zimmerman said it would be "beneficial" for the community to know more about the district waiving the fees for organizations. He also asked for more information about how many are waived and how many organizations are paying for use of district facilities.
In other news, the board also approved the recalling of Dianne Ferguson to a part-time instructional support aide from furlough.
During the past few meetings, the district has recalled more than half of the 35 individuals furloughed last June as part of staff cut during budget season.
According to Debra Savage, director of human resources, about five support staff employees and about 10 teachers are all that are left from the original group of furloughs.
Savage explained that although some of the support staff employees were full-time and are being brought back as part-time employees, the district still is working to bring as many back as possible.
The 10 teachers also might be substitute teaching in the district. Savage said those teachers are given priority over other substitutes on the list.
"We're doing pretty good at bringing people back to the district ... sooner than most thought," she said.
