ESCANABA — The Escanaba School Board approved new rental rates for use of school facilities Monday night. The new rental rates will start in July.

According to the school’s policy, “7510-Use of School Facilities”, there will be no cost to district-sponsored activities related to educational programs, district operations, groups sponsored by the district and groups affiliated with the Escanaba schools through official agreement when related to an educational program.

All other groups will pay a fee, including other costs required by the district. Non-profit organizations may receive a percentage off the rental rate.

Escanaba Superintendent Coby Fletcher and the school board developed procedures granting permission to use school facilities. The board will approve a schedule of fees annually.

In November 2018, Fletcher reviewed the rental rates and found the rates hadn’t been adjusted since 1975. The rates are now adjusted to reflect inflation.

A sampling of rates are:

Elementary buildings

Elementary classroom – $4 per hour

Multi-Purpose room with kitchen – $17 per hour

Upper Elementary

Courtyard Room – $16 per hour

Auditorium and stage with balcony – $110 per hour

High School

Commons area – $50 per hour

Gymnasium with showers – $162 per hour

Choral-board room – $10 per hour

Users are financially liable for damage to the facilities and for proper chaperonage.

To see the full policy contact the EAPS Administration.

In other business, the board:

– agreed to continue sharing time services with Holy Name Catholic School. Currently, the schools share a physical education teacher and musical programming in the elementary grades and band, orchestra and choir for sixth through eighth grades. The state of Michigan requires sharing of Title I funds and transportation of students in the district.

Sharing Time Services is reviewed at the end of every school year.

– voted to renew a three-year contract with Accent Specialty Services, a custodial service from Menominee. The board will receive quarterly reports from Accent Specialty Services and either party may sever the contract after a 120 day notice if required.

– agreed to the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District 2019-2020 budget resolution put forward by DSISD Superintendent Doug Leisenring. The budget resolution did not change from the previous school year. Board Vice President Bob Chaillier will continue to be the appointed representative for the DSISD Association of School Boards and act on behalf of the Escanaba School Board.

– approved the 2019-2020 organizational plan Fletcher proposed to the board in a previous meeting. School board President Dan Flynn said this vote was to get the plan rolling.

– hired Jeff Wright as an assistant junior varsity football coach

– heard an update of the Escanaba High School Trap Shooting Club by Bill Cobb.

– listened to a presentation by the Escanaba High School Book Club thanking the Escanaba Woman’s Club, Friends of the Library, director and employees of the library and English/Language Arts teacher Tammy Wiles. Each student attending the meeting gave a book report of their favorite book from the 2018-2019 Book Club to the board.

– decided Fletcher will review the board policies regarding the action of a student reinstatement request and create an action committee created of school board members that will rotate as needed.

– started the discussion of the Escanaba Superintendent’s contract that is up for renewal July 1. Flynn will discuss the contract with board in the next committee of the whole meeting in June.

– discussed the bid for auditing the district. Auditing is planned during the summer. Fletcher will look at policies to review how the board should take in bids.

– voted to obtain the concession stand with a quick claim deed from the city of Escanaba. The concession stand is located at the athletic field and will operate by the Escanaba Fan Club.

Escanaba Student Success Center graduation is 6 p.m. tonight at the Escanaba High School Auditorium.

Wednesday the Escanaba Senior Athletic Awards, Senior Banquet and Honors Program will be held. $436,000 will be awarded to 91 eligible high school seniors.

Escanaba seniors will graduate Friday, May 24,, at 8 p.m. in the Escanaba High School Gymnasium.

June 10 the school board will have a Committee of the Whole meeting held in the courtyard room at the Escanaba Upper Elementary School at 6 p.m.