Pop Warner Appeals to Board of Ed for Discounted Field Use Privilege

The President of Holmdel Pop Warner would like to use Holmdel school fields for the games and practice -- at the same discounted fee structure the organization enjoyed last year when it was run by the Holmdel Football Association. 

Following a split last year, the HFA joined the American Youth Football League. And Pop Warner now operates as part of the national Pop Warner organization. But both are similar sports organizations involving Holmdel's children.

At the Board of Education meeting July 27, Pop Warner President Andy Graw said that the HFA continues to be considered a "regular user" by the Board. Last year it paid $1200 in 2010-2011 for field use.

But Pop Warner was not getting that same benefit. For field use at Roggy Field and practice time at Indian Hill School, the organization of about 20 kids would be assessed a $12 hourly fee by the board which would amount to about $3,800. 

"We want to be similarly treated as others," said the soft-spoken Graw. We're not looking for any favoritism. We're not looking to be treated any worse," he told the board. 

In their lengthy discussion of the issue, board members expressed empathy but agreed that a review of the Use of School Facilities Policy 1330 would be required, along with the annual calculation of the 2011-2012 fee. 

So out of consideration for the start of the August 1 practice season and the number of Holmdel children involved, the board decided to allow Pop Warner access to fields "at a rate to be determined" in coming weeks. 

"We certainly intend to treat you like any other request," said Board Vice President Robin Wetmore, who also serves on the Township Recreation Commission. "Your organization happens to be the first organization to request 'regular user' status since the policy was formed. So we're not prepared to do that without setting policy and having discussions about it."