L.A. schools may begin charging for facilities use

Budget woes may lead district to charge non-profit groups for using fields, gyms and classrooms.

Oct. 1, 2007

For years, the Los Angeles Unified School District has allowed nonprofit youth groups free use of its grassy fields, gyms and classrooms. But the need to balance the district's budget may force a change. Little League teams and soccer parents soon may no longer have free use of facilities as district officials move forward with plans to impose fees on youth groups.
Click here to read The Los Angeles Times article.

EARLIER: Given the task of closing a gaping budget shortfall for the coming school year, Los Angeles schools Supt. David Brewer has angered leaders of after-school youth groups with a proposal that the groups pay to use school district athletic fields and other facilities. Brewer included the so-called pay to play proposal among many cost-saving measures aimed at closing a $95-million shortfall in the $6.2-billion general fund budget he has presented to the school board. (Los Angeles Times)