Saratoga News
News
District to consider refunds to groups for cleaning fees
By Emilie Doolittle
The Saratoga Union School District will decide on Oct. 23 who pays for the use of facilities between the end of summer programs and the start of the new school year.
This year there was a lack of clarity between Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Education and Recreation and the Wisdom Culture Education Organization about when their summer programs ended and when preparation for the new school year began. Los Gatos rec. is in charge of coordinating schedules and collecting fees from the community groups like WCEO to pay for using school districtfacilities.
The WCEO is unhappy with the charges it paid for its three-day overstay at the facility. Because the initial contract did not specify the end date of its program with Los Gatos rec, the organization was surprised at the end of July to have to sign another contract demanding higher fees in order to carry out its program until Aug. 3. The fees covered the cost of deep cleaning the classrooms the group had used before the start of school year.
The school board will make a decision about whether WCEO is refunded for the charges.
For future summers, the board will decide if it should outsource extension of room use by community groups or allow them to stay longer in the summer and pay higher utility fees. The board realizes it could lose the community groups if higher fees ensue, which could mean a great loss for the community.
Furthermore the board agreed that summer end-dates need to be clarified for community groups in future contracts as well as cost estimates for cleaning expenses.
The WCEO, Los Gatos recreation and the school district all share common interests in the welfare of the students and community members. They care about the safety of the school buildings, keeping the schools clean and providing space in the summer for the community.
The board expressed how much it appreciated groups such as WCEO for its positive involvement in the community and its business.
WCEO is a non-profit organization that provides Chinese language programs for community children. It also teaches Eastern and Western cultures and academics including art and music.
Los Gatos rec works with community groups to provide programs for children during the summer months.
