Citizen Sends Dorsey Letter About Using School Buildings

Below is a letter sent to Mr. Dorsey, Gilmer County Schools. The opinion was written by Joene DePlancke.
Mr. Dorsey,

At both the May and June meetings when the Facilities Use Policy was on the agenda I raised the concern that we currently receive revenue from renting these facilities to churches and other organizations and I thought the change to the policy was over broad and very restrictive. You said that this was just in draft form and that there would be plenty of time to discuss and revise. I specifically came to the July work session to discuss this specific item only to find there was no work shop that month.

I do not feel that the highlighted changes you have made to the paragraph shown below are in the best interests of the community.

“Use of school facilities will be limited to school related activities, school related
organizations, and intergovernmental agreements. Facility use for religious, political,
private and/or personal profit or gain is not permitted. Individuals or groups
functions that are designed as profit making enterprises for personal gain or limited
groups will not be approved.”

I have heard from numerous people this morning very upset about this change. The schools are owned by the county and are some of the few facilities for churches on Sundays, Girl and Boy Scout troop events and meetings, community meetings, church bazaars, etc. etc.

Before a change of this magnitude is made, there needs to be a community announcement and input before you just close off this avenue to the community without notice. Putting it on the agenda on the school board website, in my opinion, is not proper notice for something this significant since most people don’t know to go there. Remember, until very recently, nothing was ever posted there.

The public would like to participate at a work session to discuss this.

Joene DePlancke