Douglas School Board considering dropping admission fees to games

By Bruce Whetten

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 3:12 PM MDT


At its regular monthly meeting April 3 the Douglas School Board of Education discussed the possibility of doing away with admission fees to all athletic events except state playoff games which are put on by the Arizona Interscholastic Association.


During the 45 minute discussion on this particular item Douglas’ Athletic Director Randy Walker said the fees charged at DHS athletic events of $4 for adults and $3 for students is similar to what other schools charge. Two nights later when the Douglas Bulldogs faced the Bisbee Pumas in Bisbee fans entering the game were charged $5 for adults; $3 for students.

“Do we want to provide entertainment and charge for it or do we want to support our kids,” school board member Mike Ortega asked?

Walker pointed out that last year gate revenue from football generated $19,552; volleyball $3,407; boys and gitls basketball $8,315; boys and girls soccer $1,880; wrestling $4,218 and baseball $2,414 for a total of $39,786.

Walker then added that $28,217 was spent paying officials; $8,594 for the ticket sellers and takers and $1,523 for security.

Walker said additional security would be needed at the games if the board decided to eliminate the fees thus adding additional costs. Plus they would need to find a way to pay the officials.

While Ortega and Dr. Ed Gomez seemed in favor of voting on the item that night Board President Mario Ramos and board member Susan Kramer had some concerns about where the money would come from.

In the end the board agreed to table this item until they can figure out some way to come up with the money to pay the officials.

Another item on the agenda involved the fees for use of community school facilities. This was another item that had some lengthy discussion.

There are currently three classifications for fees for usage of various school facilities. Class one is no charge for organizations that fall under the district mission related use. Class two is for community college and civic organizations, community concerts, churches, recitals, etc. and class three is for all commercial and profit making organizations.

Walker showed the board records of how much it costs every time the lights are turned on at the DHS football field or Copper King Stadium. Then there is the heating issue for the cafeteria, auditorium or library.

In the end the board agreed to keep the fees at no charge for class one but also asked Walker to come back with an increased rate proposal at a later date for the class two and three organizations.

Business Manager Cesar Soto reported that the auction held on March 17 netted a grand total of $2,150.04 and now the question is how the district can spend that money.

“I’m researching it and hope to have an answer for you soon,” Soto told the board.

The board also accepted the revisions to the 2012/13 and 2013/14 district school calendars. In the 2012-13 school year calendar fall break will be Oct. 8-12; Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 21-23; Christmas break Dec. 24 – Jan. 4, 2013; spring break March 11-15 and Easter break March 29 and April 1. Students will start school Aug. 2 instead of Aug. 6 and graduation would be May 24.

The board also heard from DUSD Network Administrator Marco Durazo on what was an informational item regarding the E-Rate application which the district was awarded $654,568.15 to pay for “eligible services” he applied for.

The board also accepted donations of $50 from MVG Realty, L.L.C. DBA Douglas Realty-Group for Business Teacher of the Year awards as well as Irene and Sergio Garcia who also donated $50 for Teacher of the Year awards. A $500 donation from the Douglas Run/Walk for the Cure for a banner in the outfield at Copper King Stadium was also accepted by the board.

The board approved the hiring of Judy Herbert, retroactive to March 25, 2012 as the Douglas High School Interim Assistant Principal. Pablet Escalante was also hired as a substitute teacher.

Walker was approved as Douglas’ interim principal and both he and Melissa Rodriguez were approved as administrators of D-Pass.

Jean Tsuya and James Wahl had their resignations approved effective May 24.

Erica Buelna, Maria Cornejo, Adrianna Sepulveda, Veronica Salcido and Martha Morales were hired as classified staff.

The board granted the out of state travel, registration fees and lodging for Mrs. Lourdes Mora and students Jocelyn Fimbres and Karina Palomares to the 2012 DECA International Career Development Conference which will be held in Salt Lake City April 27 – May 2, 2012.

At the start of the meeting the board was given a presentation from students and teachers who are taking part in the Ray Borane Middle School – Douglas Middle School Alternative Program (DMAP).

Superintendent Sheila Rogers reminded the board about the DUSD 2012 Outstanding Educator Reception for teachers, administrators, support staff and parent volunteers which will take place this Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Douglas Visitors Center.

The board will meet again April 17 at 5:30 in the DUSD’s Administration Building.

 

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Proud Bulldog supporter wrote on Apr 23, 2012 1:20 PM:

    " I attend numerous athletic events year round and support not only my children that are on the teams but other athletes as well...It would be nice to see more supporters at these events especially students. The cost of attending these events adds up but does not deter myself and my family from attending. I do wish however that more of the high school students would attend and have heard them say it costs to much for them to get in. Maybe the district can give a discounted rate to a student if they show their ID when entering...instead of $3.00 you pay $1.00 if you show your school ID...I believe the kids would like to go but maybe can't pay the full price all the time.... "

    cam wrote on Apr 20, 2012 1:33 AM:

    " What is respect and trust? DUSD #27 hmmm.The proverbial question is how can one sleep at night?Kindness of others to help the small, And eternal bitterness will end them all. Very large questions can be answered with few words . Something for the good of the whole ahh not absurd. Power and control are pretty pictures in empty minds. Feeling comfortable in one's skin is the calamity that reminds.It is easy to see through jesters and clowns.One can only pray that the true and the just stare them down .It must be a must.True story "

    Stupidity in Douglas wrote on Apr 19, 2012 4:06 PM:

    " To former resident, thank you for informing us about Mr. Ortega and Dr. Gomez's pay and personal life, I'm sure that took a lot of time out of your "LIFE" to be able to slander hard working board members who are trying to make suggestions to better our teams audience engagement. I have a suggestion, how about those who are bashing on people trying to do good in our community, how about you PONY up with other residents who "CARE" about the students and find a way to increase student involvement and school pride. Or citizens can PONY up and seek alternative suggestions on how to pay the officials. And also to the people who dont "care" about the games, of course parents are going to pay to see healthy competition it is the STUDENTS we are focusing on need I remind Douglas. "

    Was Supporter wrote on Apr 18, 2012 6:15 PM:

    " Why did Douglas Run/Walk for the Cure donate $500 to the schools? An excellent question!! "

    to all of the bloggers wrote on Apr 17, 2012 10:56 AM:

    " You should all attend the next school board meeting and state your concerns in front of the board- You get three minutes! Maybe we should all work together, and be the community I know we can be- "

    7thstreetgangsta wrote on Apr 17, 2012 10:47 AM:

    " Come on folks. Free admission to sporting events? Are the members of the DUSD board smoking crack? I thought these folks were members of the business community. Basic economics dictates that you have to earn money before you can spend it. The only exeption to this policy would be if your name is Obama......... (LOL) "

    Former Resident wrote on Apr 16, 2012 1:55 AM:

    " No matter what high school you go to in the southwest, you have to pay an entrance fee to see a sports program play. Like Mr. Walker stated, all of the money raised is then used to pay for fees the school district doesn't have. Unfortunately, teams have to pay for their own food on away trips because the school district lost funding not too long ago. Maybe, increase the price to $5 for adults, $4 for high school students, and $3 for senior citizens and middle school and elementary school students. Children younger than 6 get in free. This will help offset the cost to feed kids on away games. If Mr. Ortega and Dr. Gomez favor not having admission fees, then I believe both of them together should pony up the money that the school would be losing if admission's fees go away. If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Ortega is making $100k plus from the county, and Dr. Gomez has a nice retirement fund built up from all those years of dentistry. If Dr. Gomez can afford to buy a Cadillac Escalade with a monthly payment of aroung $900 give or take, I believe he can pony up the lost funding. Please, think things through before getting rid of admission fees for sporting events. You would only be hurting the district even more than what it already is. "

    just wondering wrote on Apr 15, 2012 4:56 PM:

    " A $500 donation from Douglas Run/Walk for the Cure????? I thought the money raised was used for cancer patients! "

    Dumb wrote on Apr 15, 2012 1:07 PM:

    " It is just plain dumb to not charge for games. People don't have trouble paying to see our kids in healthy competition. Give discounts to families or senior citizens but to allow everyone to go in free is dumb. Maybe Ortega should talk to the Diamondback's management and see if he can square a deal like that....NOT. Grow up Ortega you're just trying to make points on the backs of our kids or are "you" going to pay for their needs? People who pay will watch, those that don't have nothing invested don't care! "

    To Hot Air wrote on Apr 14, 2012 1:51 PM:

    " First of all kids pay for their own meals, none of the money goes back to the teams. If that were true, then I agree we need to keep charging. What I understood was that adults would continue to pay, and students would be able to come to games without having to pay. Most of these teams have fundraisers to help with costs. We need to supports our DHS teams, actually not a lot of kids go to movies, because it can get expensive. I have been to softball games and baseball games and other schools to not charge. What Ortega said was, do we want to provide entertainment or support our teams. What Mr. Ortega and Ed Gomez want is to support our teams by getting attendance up. If you have to pay for one sport then you should have to pay for all of them. The lady softball team has very good attendence, and you do not have to pay to see a game. They have officials, and costs.... "

    Agree with sportsfan parent wrote on Apr 13, 2012 5:29 PM:

    " I too agree with the sportsfan parent.It would be nice to have a free event to go to. But with all the cuts from the State to the District, the money for all the Security, Officals and what ever else would have to be taken from some other needed area.More than likely benefits or wages could be affected.In my opinion the fees need to stay for now. "

    sports fan wrote on Apr 13, 2012 3:30 PM:

    " geez $8596 for ticket sellers I want a Job. "

    Hot Air wrote on Apr 13, 2012 7:11 AM:

    " Mike Ortega is full of hot air and Ed Gomez is following him. I can maybe agree maybe students should not be charged but then where is the money the teams count on going to come from? It's easy for Ortega to try to come off so strong about this but someone is going to hurt and it'a either the programs or the public. He should look at facts before opening his mouth. Kids pay to go to movies and that's entertainment I don't see the movie place allowing free entrance. The sport programs need the fees to pay for their meals etc. so I say our kids are worthy of their hard work to be valued by the public paying. Other places are "raising" their fees and we're eliminating them? That's crazy talk Ortega! "

    Sports fanparent wrote on Apr 12, 2012 2:29 PM:

    " Although it would be great to not have to pay to go to sporting events, I support the fees. The fees go to pay for the officials and security. otherwise, where else will they cut from to pay for them? maybe some of the money can be given back to the teams to buy equipment, help pay for road trips etc. "

    Parent wrote on Apr 11, 2012 4:35 PM:

    " I think that is a great that two board members are looking out for the students in the district. I like that idea about not charing our kids, it can get expensive when you are taking your family to watch a game. "

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