WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington School Committee set rental rates for school facilities for the 2015-2016 school year at its latest meeting.
The approved rental rates can be found below:
“Essentially, the community will be able to use a facility — provided they take care of it — at no charge, unless the school system occurs a charge (e.g., custodian, lighting technician in the auditorium, etc.),” stressed Director of Administration and Finance Paul Ruggiero. Ruggiero noted some of the fees went up “a little bit” from last year, but the biggest changes include adding to the number of facilities groups can now rent.
There are different rates for (1) in-town non-profit groups (including Youth Groups); (2) in-town for-profit and out of town non-profit groups; and and (3) out-of-town for-profit groups. In-town non-profit groups, as noted above, aren’t charged anything for renting the facility space itself, but are charged to pay for any necessary custodial staff, DPW staff, kitchen staff, or technology staff.
The rental rates were first looked at following the completion of the new high school. Rental rates used by other school districts was a strong consideration when setting Wilmington’s. The Town Manager’s input was also sought.
“Wilmington Public Schools is not looking to turn this into a business,” said Superintendent Mary DeLai, who says a fee for people not in the Wilmington community is meant for them to “have some skin in the game” and “ups the ante” for respecting the facility.
“These seem to be very reasonable prices,” said Chairwoman Peggy Kane.
The School Committee is also in the midst of updating the school district’s “Community Use of School Facilities” policy, which will be further discussed and voted upon at an upcoming meeting.
(An interesting nugget in the rental fee schedule is that Wilmington residents can use the indoor high school track from 6pm to 7:30pm on weeknights. Look for more information on that soon.)
Watch the latest Wilmington School Committee meeting, courtesy of Wilmington Community Television, below. Discussion on school facility rental rates begins at the 1:16:30 mark and lasts a few minutes.
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