Bentonville School District, club reach a deal

BENTONVILLE -- The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County will pay the School District $25,000 per year for transportation services under an agreement the two organizations recently reached.

The School Board unanimously approved a contract last week that formalizes a longtime partnership between the two organizations. It addresses the club's use of the district's transportation services as well as its facilities. The club's board has approved the agreement as well.

The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County

The club incorporated in 1991. It operates four facilities, two in Bentonville, one in Bella Vista and one in Rogers. The club’s typical annual budget is about $2 million. Most of that’s generated through grants and corporate donations.

The club had 3,769 members and an average daily attendance of 602, according to its 2013 annual report. Sixty children were helped with homework during the after-school program on an average day that year, according to the report.

Source: Staff report

The district each year transports hundreds of children from their schools to the club's facilities for after-school activities. The district has not charged the club for that service in the past.

District officials considered cutting the service last year while looking at ways to trim the district's budget, but backed off in response to feedback from the club and the public.

Club and district officials had on-and-off discussions for two years that led to the new contract, said Michael Poore, district superintendent. The contract is written such that, even when leadership changes at the two organizations, "The way we do business together to support the youth of this community is solid," Poore said.

The contract calls for the club to pay the district $25,000 each school year -- including the current one -- to offset the district's transportation expenses. That rate is subject to annual adjustment by the district every year. Either the club or the district may terminate the agreement in 90 days with written notice.

Transporting about 500 students per day between the schools and the club's facilities in Bentonville and Bella Vista costs the district about $119,000 each year, according to figures the district provided last year.

The contract also makes expectations clear regarding the club's use of the district's HLM Youth Center at 1207 N.W. Leopard Lane, next to Lincoln Junior High School. The club uses that facility for its after-school and athletic programs for several hours each day.

The contract stipulates, among other things, the club will be responsible for the repair of "any extraordinary damage" beyond normal wear and tear at the HLM Youth Center caused as a result of club activities.

The contract was modified slightly from when it was initially presented to the School Board on May 4. It originally stated the $25,000 annual fee and the district's ability to cancel the agreement applied to both transportation services and use of the HLM Youth Center.

Travis Riggs, board president, pointed out the center originally was built with money from a donor who stipulated the club had a right to use that building.

"I'm a little concerned about a 90-day agreement to terminate their usage of that facility when the intent of that building was (the club) had it as long as they wanted it," Riggs said. "We don't seem to be honoring (the donor's) wishes several years later."

Other board members agreed with Riggs. They approved a revised version of the contract at the board's meeting Monday.

Jacob Hutson was the club's chief professional officer for seven years until last week, when he left for another job in Northwest Arkansas. The club is now seeking its next leader, he said.

Hutson said he was happy with the contract and the process that led to it.

"The schools and Mr. Poore were great to work with," Hutson said.

NW News on 05/26/2015

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