Warsaw Schools Discusses Liability Of Leesburg Rec. League Restrooms
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Leesburg Summer Recreational League wanted to build public restrooms on the ball diamonds at Leesburg Elementary School.
But now there's a liability question the Warsaw School Board needs answered first.
Previously, Bruce Ferguson asked the school board for a letter to the State Board of Health approving the summer program to hook the bathrooms up to the school's sewer system. The school board approved Ferguson to work with board attorney Max Reed on drafting the letter.
Monday, Reed said when he contacted Ferguson, Ferguson didn't have information on the league's structure, but told Reed to contact William Trump. When Reed contacted Trump, Trump allegedly told Reed he "is the summer league." There is no corporation, no limited liability corporation, no not-for-profit set up. Reed said Trump told him he appointed himself as president.
Over the years, Reed said the league constructed two ball diamonds, bleachers, backstops, scoreboard and concessions on the school property. Now they want bathrooms on the property, but the league has no liability insurance because it's too expensive. The longer he mulled it over, the more Reed said he thought he should bring the situation to the school board. He could still write the letter, but Reed said the school corporation is sitting on a situation where there's been construction on school property and probably has been for 15 years from the organization. Money to pay for the league's expenses comes from fundraisers, Plain Township trustee and concessions. Currently, there are about 300 youth involved in the uninsured program.
Ron Yeiter, school board president, said it seems the matter is a liability issue to him.
Harrison Elementary School Randy Polston said various organizations such as Pee Wee Football use the field at Harrison, but he doesn't know about their insurance coverage.
Reed said liability occurs if the school is at fault for something it did or didn't do.
School board member Deb Wiggins said if the school corporation allows them to hook up the restrooms to the school's sewer system, where's their fault? Reed wasn't sure if the school corporation had any.
The issue needs further studied, said board member Chuck Sauders.
Ferguson told the school board it is his understanding there is a board for the summer league. Reed said Trump told him there is none. Ferguson said two years ago, there was a board that elected Trump as president. But there is a larger issue at hand that needs addressed, that of liability.
Tammy Dalton, school board member, made the motion to table the issue pending further investigation.
"We need to know if there is an organizational group up there and who's responsible for it," said Dalton.
Ralph Bailey, interim superintendent, said they need to follow up with their insurance company and see what they say about the matter.
The use of school grounds has been at the discretion of the school principals, said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott. More discussions on the matter will need to be held, he said.
The board will discuss the matter more at their June 19 meeting.
School board members are Yeiter, Vice President Dan Robinson, Secretary Gene England, Cathy Folk, Wiggins and Tammy Dalton. [[In-content Ad]]
The Leesburg Summer Recreational League wanted to build public restrooms on the ball diamonds at Leesburg Elementary School.
But now there's a liability question the Warsaw School Board needs answered first.
Previously, Bruce Ferguson asked the school board for a letter to the State Board of Health approving the summer program to hook the bathrooms up to the school's sewer system. The school board approved Ferguson to work with board attorney Max Reed on drafting the letter.
Monday, Reed said when he contacted Ferguson, Ferguson didn't have information on the league's structure, but told Reed to contact William Trump. When Reed contacted Trump, Trump allegedly told Reed he "is the summer league." There is no corporation, no limited liability corporation, no not-for-profit set up. Reed said Trump told him he appointed himself as president.
Over the years, Reed said the league constructed two ball diamonds, bleachers, backstops, scoreboard and concessions on the school property. Now they want bathrooms on the property, but the league has no liability insurance because it's too expensive. The longer he mulled it over, the more Reed said he thought he should bring the situation to the school board. He could still write the letter, but Reed said the school corporation is sitting on a situation where there's been construction on school property and probably has been for 15 years from the organization. Money to pay for the league's expenses comes from fundraisers, Plain Township trustee and concessions. Currently, there are about 300 youth involved in the uninsured program.
Ron Yeiter, school board president, said it seems the matter is a liability issue to him.
Harrison Elementary School Randy Polston said various organizations such as Pee Wee Football use the field at Harrison, but he doesn't know about their insurance coverage.
Reed said liability occurs if the school is at fault for something it did or didn't do.
School board member Deb Wiggins said if the school corporation allows them to hook up the restrooms to the school's sewer system, where's their fault? Reed wasn't sure if the school corporation had any.
The issue needs further studied, said board member Chuck Sauders.
Ferguson told the school board it is his understanding there is a board for the summer league. Reed said Trump told him there is none. Ferguson said two years ago, there was a board that elected Trump as president. But there is a larger issue at hand that needs addressed, that of liability.
Tammy Dalton, school board member, made the motion to table the issue pending further investigation.
"We need to know if there is an organizational group up there and who's responsible for it," said Dalton.
Ralph Bailey, interim superintendent, said they need to follow up with their insurance company and see what they say about the matter.
The use of school grounds has been at the discretion of the school principals, said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott. More discussions on the matter will need to be held, he said.
The board will discuss the matter more at their June 19 meeting.
School board members are Yeiter, Vice President Dan Robinson, Secretary Gene England, Cathy Folk, Wiggins and Tammy Dalton. [[In-content Ad]]