Fences, higher use fees coming for Turlock campuses

Open school grounds dotted across Turlock will bow to safety concerns of today’s national landscape, trustees signaled, with a vote to design fences for four elementary schools.

At its meeting Tuesday, trustees also raised fees for use of its facilities and heard a consultant’s appraisal that a school bond for improving campuses would likely pass. The decision to pursue a bond will be put to a vote at a later meeting.

Early-stage plans for fencing Earl, Medeiros, Brown and Walnut elementary schools include wrought-iron across school frontage and high chain-link around fields, estimated to total nearly $800,000. The unanimous board vote Tuesday approved a fraction of that figure to pay for architectural planning.

Turlock schools have traditionally been built with open plans, architect David Starck of Modesto-based SKW & Associates told the board. “The concept was to be a very community-oriented place,” he said, adding the layouts create fencing challenges.

The plan is to put security fencing in place at all campuses as funding permits, said Scott Richardson, Turlock Unified School District head of maintenance and operations.

Even with the fencing, board President Frank Lima said, the intent is to have gates open for community use when school is out.

“This is for the safety of students while school is in session,” he said.

The difference in Turlock campuses is striking, said trustee Lori Carlson before voting on the proposal. She recalled dropping off her kindergartner at a tightly fenced campus in another town.

“It gave a very secure feeling, as a parent, and moving to Turlock it was a shock (to see such open campuses). With all that’s happening nationally, I think this is the right direction to move,” Carlson said.

Design plans for each school must come back to the board for a vote before construction begins.

Prices to rent school cafeterias, pools and fields will change dramatically, effective Oct. 1, with months-ahead deadlines to reserve the place. The proposal passed on a 6-1 vote, with Bob Weaver dissenting.

The new schedules will not affect school teams, PTA or school club events, which remain free while custodians are available.

Charges will rise steeply for affiliate groups, described as organizations who serve Turlock students off-season and charge a fee. For example, using a high school gym will rise from $38 to $56.50, slightly more with bleachers. Use of a cafeteria with kitchen will go from $27 to $72. Baseball field use, which was free, will cost $33. Use fees are less for elementary school facilities.

Scouting organizations, individuals and faith-based organizations providing activities for students will pay 70 percent of what the use costs the district under the new schedules. This group will pay $98 for a gym, $101 for a cafeteria/kitchen and $46 for a baseball field.

Groups holding religious services must fully cover the district’s costs for what they use: $113 for a gym and $144 for a cafeteria/kitchen. Groups charging admission or soliciting contributions, unless to benefit a charity or schools, will pay fair market value: $129 for a gym and $153 for cafeteria/kitchen.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Fences, higher use fees coming for Turlock campuses."