After an online petition and comments on social media clamoring for full access to Lumberton ISD’s sports field without a $100 fee, Lumberton ISD officials decided to waive the previously announced fee for photography opportunities at Raider Stadium.
“After thorough consideration, Lumberton ISD has decided to waive the previously announced fee for photography opportunities at Raider Stadium. In order to be good stewards of the taxpayer funded facility, the stadium will remain closed to the public,” district officials released in a public statement. Aug. 6, Lumberton ISD released an update on Raider Stadium usage guide- lines for photographers. The stadium will be available for personal photography purposes on designated dates only.
Rules governing stadium use requires an LISD employee to be on site to open and close the stadium. There is no rental fee and no appointment is required. Opportunities available for personal photography at the stadium are 4 – 8 p.m. Saturdays, Aug. 24, Sept. 28 and Oct. 26.
Because of the upcoming deadline for submitting ads for the booster-sponsored football program, the stadium was open Aug. 7 for parents who wanted to take photos on the field.
Spring dates are to be determined after sports schedules are released.
According to Communications Director Holly Feller, everything regarding the original policy and the update is an athletic director/administration/superintendent decision.
“It does not need to go before the board and it is immediately in effect,” added Feller.
Football practice began Aug. 5 on the new stadium turf. The annual media day, scrimmage and community pep rally is Saturday, Aug. 10, at the stadium.
Turf wars
Entering August, LISD officials posted a “Media Photography Rental Guideline” for the stadium on the district’s social account. According to the post, the newly renovated Raider Stadium was closed to the public due to the cost to repair the damage that has occurred over previous years and as a security precaution. It also stated individuals wishing to use the facility for personal photographs would be required to sign up for a time slot and pay a facility rental fee to use the stadium.
LISD setting fees and hours to use the stadium for photography did not sit well with parents. In response, a parent-led online petition emerged on Change.org, pushing for full access to the stadium for school pictures, without the $100-per-hour rental fee, for any photographer wanting to take photos at the stadium.
“We wish to change the current Lumberton ISD policy concerning family and student photos at the local stadium. Currently, it costs $100 to take these photos and the days available are extremely limited. With respect to our new superintendent and our board members, we ask that you please change this new policy with our longstanding traditions in mind,” the petition written by LISD parent Jerrod Meehan, read. “As a parent and a local taxpayer who helped build the new stadium, I find it patently absurd that not only must I spend more money just to take a picture I have to amend my schedule in order to do it. This needs to change immediately.”
According to the LISD Facility Rental policy, district buildings, grounds and equipment are financed and maintained for the sole purpose of promoting the education of the enrolled students of the LISD. District facilities normally available for use include auditoriums, cafeterias and athletic facilities. Any extracurricular use of district facilities must comply with board policies. All fees for use of the facilities will be set by the superintendent or designee and LISD reserves the right not to allow use of district facilities at any time during the year, including but not limited to dates before the second Monday in September of each year to allow staff the opportunity to set schedules.
According to a fee schedule of the Performing Arts Center (PAC), the fees for organizations with a 501(c)(3) status range from $2,300, with a $500 deposit, for the auditorium, foyer entrance and banquet setup, to $300 for foyer and restroom, or meeting room only, along with security deposit. Organizations without a 501(c)(3) status, fees range from $1,500 to $3,000.
According to the previous LISD Raider Stadium Usage Guidelines for Photographers, the athletic facilities were constructed primarily for use by athletic teams and other extracurricular teams and individuals. Special arrangements must be made for uses of a different nature. Any use of district facilities must comply with board policies. All fees for use of the facilities will be set by the superintendent or designee.
General rules for Stadium Facility Rental for Photography Purposes still in effect include:
• No couches, chairs, or other photo props that sit on the turf or track may be brought into the stadium.
• No open flames, confetti, glitter, silly string, or any other product that requires cleanup or could damage the turf or track may be used as photo props.
• No pets may be brought into the stadium for photos.
• District facilities should be left clean and orderly at the conclusion of the rental.
• Patrons must agree to all facilities guidelines set by the district and sign both the contract and liability waiver before use.