During the Quakertown Community School board meeting on Feb. 22, a lengthy discussion unfolded regarding the fee schedule for renting district facilities.

            Under the Facilities Consent Agenda, the district reviewed the administrative regulation on facilities rental agreements. The focus was on cost structure and group classifications. The objective was to simplify the fee schedule and modify prohibitive rates for groups that regularly utilize district facilities. In addition, the multi-use turf field and baseball diamond were added to the fee schedule.

            The fee schedule is organized into groups and the rates are based on space, equipment and personnel that are required for events. Group 1 is district/school-related organizations and activities. This includes games, practices, meetings, performances, and other events sponsored by the district. Auxiliary groups, booster clubs, student activity groups, and youth meetings of non-profit organizations. This group is not required to pay rental fees for district facilities.

            Practices for Quakertown-based youth sport leagues whose participants are mostly Quakertown residents fell under the second group, community-based sports leagues.

            A third group was also part of the fee schedule. Other community activities such as local non-public schools, other school districts, Upper Bucks YMCA and non-local youth sports leagues.

            The fee schedule for groups two and three listed the cost as $20 an hour for five hours or less and $200 per week for each space rented. These spaces include the auditorium, cafeteria, gym space and general classrooms. The cost to rent athletic facilities was listed at $75 an hour and $600 for the day. Personnel and use of other equipment accrues additional costs.

            The president of the Quakertown Youth Wrestling Club, Stephanie DeStefano, of Richland Township, expressed concern about the new fee schedule and how it will impact youth community sports and activities.

            "I strongly oppose this policy change ... imposing fees on these organizations creates unnecessary barriers," she said. DeStefano explained that Quakertown Youth Wrestling has funded a substantial amount for equipment and that imposing fees on their groups and others is unethical.

            Joseph Jacowitz, of Milford Township, has been a resident for over 27 years. He explained that he recently drove by the new multi-use athletic field and that it looked "immaculate" in construction progress. However, he also noticed that there was not an area for girls softball and that in general, boys baseball and boys sports get significantly better equipment and field space than girls sports.

            Jackowitz is one of the founders of the Richland Area Softball Association. There were over 400 young women in the softball league and many excelled in softball.

            Citing Title IX, Jackowitz said, "You are turning your backs on the next generation by not giving them the equity they deserve and the law demands."

            After listening to grievances from parents and residents, an amendment was made to eliminate the fee structure and revise group 2 to be listed equal to group 1. However, groups 1 and 2 move to group 3 fees if charging admission, fundraising, or hosting an outside organization.

            The board approved a $19,220.53 quote from Turn-Key Technologies for network switches and wireless access points for the multipurpose field.

            The switches and wireless capabilities allow for all technologies related to the scoreboard, streaming, sound system and other necessities related to games.