By VICKI URBANIK

The Duneland School Board on Monday altered its policy on use of the school buildings by outside groups, in response to a growing, and sometimes conflicting, number of requests.

Duneland School Superintendent Dirk Baer said the school corporation has long had the philosophy that its facilities, as publicly funded buildings, should be available for community use. While that philosophy hasn’t changed, school officials wanted to bring more fairness into a situation that has become “out of control,” he said.

Duneland Director of Special Services Mark McKibben, who presented the proposed policy revisions Monday, said the schools have been overwhelmed by building use requests. As a result, a committee was formed last school year to see how the policy could be changed.

McKibben said youth sports groups in particular have mushroomed in number. Some groups have sought to use the buildings five nights a week or for an entire season, essentially shutting out other groups, he said. And some have been using the school facilities for league play, which was never intended as an approved use, he said.

Further, some youth sports groups have wanted to use school facilities on Sunday evenings. McKibben said the committee felt that kids should be at home, getting prepared for school the next day, rather than practicing sports as late as 8 p.m. or so on Sundays.

The revisions approved Monday tighten up the language stipulating that the school facilities can be used by outside organizations that hold not-for-profit status. For-profit groups wishing to use the buildings must get prior approval from the superintendent.

The policy now creates a classification for youth sports groups and limits the times that the groups can seek to use school facilities. A building use request form must now be submitted 15 school days before the date of the requested use, and no request shall be valid for more than 25 school days, under the revisions.

The section on youth sports groups also notes that school programs have changing scheduling needs and that school activities always take precedence.

Sunday use of school facilities will be still be allowed, but only if approved by the superintendent and the school board. Further, use of gyms, field houses and other facilities will not be allowed on Fridays from August through March, due to the potential conflict with school activities.

The policy revisions also include various provisions on fees that may be charged for facility rentals and custodian staff. As before, all requests for use of the school facilities must be presented to the individual building principal, who has the authority to approve and schedule building use and charges, except for Sunday or non-conforming uses, which must be approved by the superintendent and the board.

Personnel

Also Monday, the school board approved the resignation of Andrew Borrelli, a multi-age teacher at Yost Elementary. The board also granted a family leave to Lisa Dyer, Chesterton High School Spanish teacher.

Also, the board made the following coaching appointments: Keith Underwood, Mike Slicker, Nate McMillan, boys’ basketball; Dan Willett, girls’ basketball; Bill Kelly and Jeremy Kelly, wrestling; Mitch Semans and Chris Richardson, boys’ track.

Posted 10/7/2008