CPHS Senior Celebration

This Senior Celebration situation with the Case Community Center is a problem. When I wrote my letter to the editor of the Sand Springs Leader, I was personally phoned by Paul Waldschmidt. We discussed my comments and I confirmed they were in fact my words. Secondly, I spoke face to face with Mr. Gerondale and Mr. Edwards. I spoke with them after the basketball homecoming pep assembly, at Ron’s Hamburger’s. I believe the date was 01/25/13.

I do not know the exact figures of the fees charged in previous years. I assume that as a committee member, Mr. Cook’s numbers are correct. I applaud the parents of the Class of 2014 for being pro-active for next year’s event. I know that it takes many, many hours and a good amount of money for this event. I am not a member of the 2013 Committee. I am however, a parent of a Senior of the Class of 2013. I cannot speak for the committee. I can say that the parents of this class have always been very involved and I have every confidence in them. I also believe it would be fair to assume the fees for our class would be the same as the fees charged in previous years.

I first became aware of the fee issue from another senior parent. The parent stated that the fee had increased significantly ($1,200). This parent also stated they had spoken with our City Manager, Rocky Rogers, regarding the fee. The parent said Mr. Rogers’ response was to say that the Case Center is a business and expected to produce revenue. My understanding is that was the end of the conversation. I do not know Mr. Rogers. I don’t know if he actually lives in Sand Springs or if he has children in our district. I would be interested to know those things. I do know Mr. Gerondale and Mr. Edwards. I do know that Mr. Gerondale’s children graduated from CPHS and that Mr. Edwards has children in our school system.

 

I posted a “rant” on Facebook after speaking with that parent and hearing the comments from Mr. Rogers. I wrote my letter to the editor of the Leader at the same time. Shortly after, before the letter was printed, I ran into Mr. Gerondale and Mr. Edwards at Ron’s. I sat down at their table to talk to them about it. I then posted again on Facebook and corrected some of my comments based on that conversation. Now, after reading the article in this week’s Leader, I am left shaking my head.

 

When I sat down with Mr. Gerondale and Mr. Edwards the conversation was not at first what I expected. Mr. Gerondale was very defensive and was not happy that I was “confronting” them about it. I didn’t share that before because I didn’t believe it was relevant. This has just become crazy and I am going to share the conversation.

 

Mr. Gerondale did tell me at that time that he had not been contacted directly by any 2013 Committee members. It seemed to be a problem. He said City Council members had been contacted as well as the City Manager. He stated he was tired of getting phone calls and emails from the City Manager about it, when he hadn’t been contacted himself. I understand that. He is the Director of the Parks Department and that includes the Case Center. I told Mr. Gerondale that I am not a committee member, but that I was there, in person, speaking to him about the situation. I wasn’t there to argue or be ugly. I was asking questions so that I could understand and know for myself why the cost had increased.

Mr. Gerondale, with some input from Mr. Edwards, stated the following as I remember it:

·         The Case Center is self-funded. All repairs and upgrades, etc. are accomplished with funds generated by the facility. All funds generated stay with the facility. They do not go into the City budget. If they do not charge for use of the facility, they will not be able to maintain the facility. That is business and that is understandable.

·         The reason for the cost increase was the number of hours used. In the past the event was only charged the hourly rate until midnight. The event would now be charged for every hour the facility was being used. Just like any other group requesting the facility would be charged.

·         A certified letter was sent to the head of the committee for the Class of 2010 advising them of this change and requesting that the information be forwarded to future committees so there would be no misunderstanding.

·         Each year the staff of the Case Center would spend hours the morning after the event cleaning the facility and taking out all of the trash. Getting the facility back in order. Stating specifically that the facility was not left in the same condition it was before the event.

·         Just because the Senior Celebration is not for profit did not mean the event should be charged less than any other group. Many groups such as the Rotary, etc. are not for profit and it wouldn’t be right to treat Senior Celebration differently. If our group received a special deal others should expect the same.

·         City Councilor Rankin had commented to a parent that the kids could come work at the Case Center and earn hours for the event. Mr. Gerondale confirmed that is possible and that same information is on their website.

In the news article Mr. Waldschmidt said Mr. Gerondale “suggested in the past years less hours were scheduled”.  That is not the case. According to what Mr. Gerondale said and referenced above is that less hours were billed. I believe that is what Mr. Gerondale was suggesting. Mr. Waldschmidt just didn’t know.

The suggestion by Councilor Rankin that the kids volunteer at the center to earn “free” hours for the event is, in my opinion, something to consider. The NHS and I am sure other groups require the students perform a minimum number of community service hours. Why not allow students from any grade volunteer and designate those hours to Senior Celebration? If it becomes a tradition to do this, and sophomores and juniors are donating their hours too, in the following years those other classes will benefit from the incoming classes. Yes, our children work hard in class to graduate. But, again, if they are going to be performing community service anyway, why not volunteer to this and help in two ways?

Councilor Rankin also suggested that a flat fee be set for the event. That sounds like a good idea. We all know that there are costs involved for the facility to be in use. I don’t believe that any Senior Celebration committees from any year wish for the facility to fail to cover their costs to be open for the event. The committees and the parents work diligently all year long to raise funds and generate all things needed for a successful event. Many hours are donated and many dollars are solicited and donated. The goal of the parents is to have a safe, drug free, alcohol free place for our children to go and celebrate their accomplishments. For many of the students, this will be the last time they are together with their friends. It is a huge deal in so many ways.

I strongly disagree that Senior Celebration should be treated the same as other non-profit groups. This is for our children! This is something they will always remember and is a gift to them. I seriously doubt any other non-profit groups in town would object to making this affordable. Many of those groups offer scholarships and awards, etc. to the Seniors. They support our kids. They want our kids to be happy and safe and to have good memories of growing up in Sand Springs.

I also strongly disagree with City Manager, Mr. Rogers that this doesn’t have to be decided right now. I encourage the parents of the Class of 2014 continue to push the issue now. Lobby not only for the Class of 2014, but for the future classes as well. Why not decide this right now? This is a non-issue for the Class of 2013. Our event will be held at Chandler Park. Our deal is done. Please look ahead to the coming classes and get something set up so the fees for using our hometown facility can be budgeted and known. Consider working with the school and allowing students to work community service at the center and donate those hours to this event. People, it takes a village. Be a part of the village and a part of the solution. Help these parents do something special for their children.

I want to say for myself that none of this is personal. I do know Mr. Gerondale. I know that he is a good man and has been very involved with the schools and activities when his children were a part of our system. I don’t believe that he is against Senior Celebration. I believe he is doing his job. I say the same of Mr. Edwards. We should listen to them. If we are going to ask for a break on the cost, we need to be confident we are not adding any costs for the center.

I respect both Mr. Gerondale and Mr. Edwards. I know they are not against “us”. They are trying to be responsible for their facility. Mr. Rankin seems to be interested in working with Senior Celebration in at least making the fee a set fee and that is helpful. The parents are trying to keep their children safe. We are all part of the same community. Work it out. Keep our kids close to home. Work it out so any funds that are spent on a facility are kept in our City from now on. It can be a win-win if we make it one.