Hollister School District trustees Thursday night reversed course on a prior cancellation to contracts with the city – over use of facilities for recreation programs – and directed staff officials to revive negotiations on a new agreement.
Trustees unanimously agreed Thursday to rescind their decision to cancel agreements that have allowed the city’s use of facilities at two schools, Superintendent Gary McIntire confirmed.
He said the current terms would carry over temporarily until the two sides reach agreement on a new deal. Board members instructed McIntire to initiate negotiations and requested that the staff ensure the district has better control over facility access and cleaning matters, the superintendent said.
At an April board meeting, Hollister school trustees voted 4-1 to cancel the contracts with the city and end the nearly 30-year arrangement.
The district toward the end of May sent 30-day cancellation notices for the Rancho San Justo Middle School and Maze Middle School gymnasiums, along with a 180-day notice for the Rancho outdoor fields as well. That was against the recommendation from Superintendent Gary McIntire, who had suggested that board members renegotiate the contracts and gain better control of access to facilities.
Eliminating the contracts also could have come with a direct cost. McIntire estimated that lost revenue from the city – along with the need to hire staff to take on some programs – would come to about $100,000 annually.
School Board President Elizabeth Martinez before the meeting had underscored that several issues caused the initial cancellation such as lacking upkeep, the fee structure, and the contention that the city had dictated the contract’s details in the past.
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