Colfax Board of Education agrees to keep community usage fees “as is”
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
COLFAX — The Colfax Board of Education has agreed to keep community usage fees for school buildings “as is.”
The questions for the school board to consider are — should the school district charge “historical” fees and keep the fees as they are now — or should the school board set a flat rate for all groups? asked William C. Yingst Jr., district administrator, at the Colfax Board of Education’s April 21 meeting.
Todd Kragness, president of the Board of Education, said in his opinion, the school district should continue the way it has been done.
If someone who has not used the gymnasium in the past asks to use the gymnasium, then the school board would ask to be given time to consider and act on approval of the usage, Kragness said.
Yingst said he would assess the needs of a new group or individual asking to use the school facility, and if it was out of the ordinary, he would bring to the school board.
“They should make sure they are giving you ample time to make the call then,” Kragness said.
According to information Yingst provided to the Board of Education, the following fees were on record in the school district’s billing system:
• Dunn County Barbershoppers — $50 for the gymnasium for the annual Barbershoppers performance in April; $200 to $250 for custodial fees; $30 for the cafeteria for the After Glow party. The last time the $30 fee was paid was 2018, according to school district records. In 2019, the Barbershoppers held the After Glow party in another location. The Barbershoppers’ performance was cancelled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Colfax FFA Alumni Farm Toy Show — invoiced only for food the school purchased for the annual event held every February and no charge for the gymnasium.
• Colfax Kiwanis Athletic Banquet — invoiced only for food the school purchased and no charge for the gymnasium.
For events that were 10 years ago or longer:
• Farmers Union Patron Meeting until 2010 — billed for cafeteria rental at $30, and cook fees of $75 to $100.
• Vikings Club Girls until 2006 — billed for custodial services for one tournament over two days at $125 to $150, and no charge for the gymnasium.
• Viking Club Boys until 2005 — billed for custodial services for four tournaments at $375 to $400, and no charge for the gymnasium.