A Policy Lapse Comes to Light
Middleton School District has come under scrutiny for not enforcing its own policy that requires businesses to pay for the use of outdoor facilities. Superintendent Marc Gee admitted the oversight and is moving to codify a new, uniform approach to facility rentals.
A Donor, a Club, and a Coach
The controversy surfaced after a local benefactor funded artificial turf fields at Middleton High and handed them over to a for‑profit soccer organization, Global Sports Academy. The club, whose coach is Ben McCallister, has been allowed to use the fields without charge, a situation that Gee described as inappropriate.
Financial Pressures Mount
The district’s fiscal strain intensified after a school‑bond levy failed, prompting budget cuts that have eliminated the seventh‑grade football program, reduced staff by 38 full‑time positions, and raised student lunch fees. These pressures have forced officials to look for new revenue streams.
A New Policy for Self‑Sustainability
Under the draft policy presented to the school board, a tiered fee structure would apply to different types of organizations, ensuring that costs for administration, power, maintenance and custodial services are covered. The plan also envisions community partnership agreements that grant nonprofits access only when they deliver clear, measurable benefits to the district.
If adopted, the new framework would align the district’s facility usage with its broader goal of financial self‑sufficiency, while addressing concerns that commercial entities have been enjoying free access to assets funded by taxpayers.