Wallkill Valley raises facilities fees

HAMBURG — The Wallkill Valley Regional High School Board of Education agreed on Sept. 23 to increase facilities fees.

The increases were effective immediately.

“Even though we aren’t looking to make a profit off of (out of district requests), it would be nice to maintain our nice facility and replace doors with some money we can make,” Board Member Jeffrey Hilbert said.

The original proposal for the use of the gymnasium floor was for $500 per day, but some board members shared their opinions and compared the facilities use fee across Sussex County schools.

“This is the nicest gym in the county, we have excellent sound, nice doors, wonderful lighting. We have a beautiful facility for everyone to come back to,” Hilbert said.

Tossing around figures, the board, with Interim Superintendent Robert Walker’s suggestion, agreed to raise the fee for the gymnasium to $1,000 for non-profit and companies located in the sending district. These sending districts include Franklin, Hamburg, Hardyston, and Ogdensburg. Although the prices have increased since last year, out-of-district companies will be hit the hardest.

For out of district, companies will pay $2,000 to use the gymnasium. Along with the increase in gymnasium fees, out-of-district companies will find that all facilities will be double than the proposed fees. For example, the use of the auditorium for a Sparta company will go from $1,000 to $2,000 per day. Increase in fees also will include lighting, auditorium, classroom use, and custodian fees.

“I think that out-of-district schools should be held at a higher premium because they are not paying taxes and do not have students that come to this school, ” school board member Edward Card said.

Although the Wallkill Valley board attorney suggested the board members could take the time to break down specific categories, the new charges will go into effect immediately based off each company's location.

“I’d like to see these price increases occur right away, or I’d like to take some companies off our building request sheet,” said Neal.

Last year, the fee to use the Wallkill gymnasium was $400. During the summer, Wallkill Valley spent more than $180,000 to replace the gymnasium floor.