The Springboro school board accepted the donation during a board meeting Tuesday. Petrey said the donation is a result of discussions over reimbursement of fees for use of district sports facilities — although all or a portion of the fees were waived in past years.
“I’m really proud of all the organizations. I didn’t ask them for the donation, but I asked them to consider it,” Petrey said.
This year, the Springboro school board reviewed the costs of the district’s athletic programs. The district’s treasurer is reviewing Springboro Athletic Boosters’ and band boosters’ funds. In June, school board member Jim Rigano said a check for reportedly $130,000 was made out to the Springboro Athletic Boosters Association by a booster officer. Rigano said that was in response to the board’s review of booster financial reports to the school.
The school board also is studying facilities use fees and policies. The district announced the youth basketball group’s donation in a press release Tuesday. The group also is expected to pay about $28,000 for use of district gyms this year, Petrey said.
Springboro Youth Basketball (SYB) is a private group offering basketball programs for boys and girls in kindergarten-6th grade.
“SYB is excited about entering into a long-term partnership with Springboro schools. Through the donation, improvements to the basketball facilities can be made through the district’s capital improvement plans,” John Emanuel, president of the youth basketball group, said in a press release. “This arrangement is a true ‘win-win’ for SYB and Springboro schools and a great example of working together for the betterment of the community.”
Emanuel declined to comment about any connection between the donation and the facilities use fee issue.
Other school districts waive facilities use fees, Petrey said.
“Some districts, like Centerville or Miamisburg, don’t charge fees for gym space. But we don’t have the tax base and industry base that Centerville or Miamisburg does,” he said.
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