TURNER – The SAD 52 school board has rejected a proposed policy that would punish outside groups for damaging or otherwise abusing school facilities.
Youth athletic organizations from Greene, Leeds and Turner protested a proposed third-offense punishment prohibiting use of facilities for the remainder of the season.
The groups felt that the policy as drafted might result in an innocent group being punished, and was too harsh.
Amendments to the school facility use policy for outside groups had been drafted to deal with damage to buildings and facilities and inappropriate behavior.
Changes included a letter and follow-up meeting outlining the specific issues and advising of probationary status after the first offense. A second incident of not meeting outlined expectations would result in loss of use of facilities for one week, again after a meeting and written communication. A third violation would result in loss of use of facilities for the remainder of the season.
“Too severe,” said Wallace Veilleux, a board member from Greene.
Assistant Superintendent Darlene Burdin emphasized that the changes were not proposed “for the sake of punishment,” but to promote respect for very expensive public property, to have individuals and groups assume responsibility for their conduct on that property and to have accountability for those who abuse privileges.
“The point is, if you use school facilities, and we hope you do, leave them the way you found them,” Burdin said.
Doubt prevailed, however, and the board agreed to take another look at the draft without assuring any significant changes.
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