SEBRING SCHOOLS District sets policies for auditorium use

School functions would take precedence over any outside group wishing to use the auditorium.
By SUE DROTLEFF
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SEBRING -- Sebring Board of Education members learned Wednesday of plans for groups outside the school to use the high school's new auditorium.
High school principal Terry Balla said the new procedures are in response to requests from outside groups wishing to use the auditorium. That facility recently opened as part of the district's Ohio Schools Facilities Commission project, which also included new classrooms and a gymnasium at the high school.
Balla said outside groups would be asked to submit a deposit by check for use of the auditorium once dates had been cleared with Superintendent Howard Friend or him. The deposit would be held until the event was over and returned if no additional fees for custodial work or damages were required.
Balla said if groups wanted to utilize the facility's sound or lighting system, there would be an additional charge. Balla said students are being trained by staff members on proper use of that equipment and would man it for events.
Additionally, if custodial assistance was required outside normal working hours, there would be a charge.
Balla said the new procedures would be in use during this initial year and could be revised as needed. He assured board members that school functions would take precedence.
Teacher talks: One parent asked about the status of negotiations with the teaching staff. Friend said a bargaining session will be held soon.
After the meeting, Friend said the contract with teachers expired Aug. 31 and teachers are continuing to work under the terms of the expired agreement. Earlier an impasse had been declared, and both sides are meeting with federal mediator Jennifer Fletcher.
In other matters, the board gave permission for the athletic booster club to plan a fund-raiser in Brook Gym in late January or early February.
Joe Rockwell asked that a donkey basketball game be held as a fund-raiser to benefit the Little Trojan Football program.