After over a year of tension between Oxford Schools and the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department, the two entities finally reached a facility use agreement both could be happy with.
The board will vote on the agreement at tonight’s (Aug. 26) board meeting, located at 10 N. Washington Street starting at 7 p.m.
‘I appreciate Ron and his work with the parks and rec. and I’m glad we were able to come to an agreement (regarding the use of) the facilities . . . . and really (this) is a benefit for the community overall,? said Superintendent Tim Throne at the Aug. 12 Board of Education meeting. ‘I appreciate that.?
Likewise Davis commended Throne’s willingness to work towards an agreement, but first he had to release his feelings that he’s kept bottled up over the past year.
‘I have to go back 13 months because something has been bothering me as a person,? he said. ‘Most of you know me and I’ve worked with you guys on community events, fund-raisers and you know I am a man of integrity.?
But Davis said that integrity was called into question 13 months ago when former Oxford Superintendent Dr. William Skilling called him ‘disingenuous? in front of room filled with school and parks/rec. officials and staff.
‘In my life, that’s called a liar,? Davis said.
Davis and his department took issue with the agreement that was presented to them back in March of 2014 that was estimated to cost Parks & Rec. $97,450 in fees, according to Parks and Rec’s calculations. But what really upset him was the fact that no member of the school board reached out to him.
‘That was pretty disturbing and it bothered me for 13 months and some of you know that and I’ve told you that,? Davis added. ‘Yet no one called, no one came to my office, no one gave me the respect to come sit down and say ‘Ron, tell us the story (of) what really happened.? Yet the papers make it look like the parks and rec. was misleading the community and trying to get a millage passed for a community center and that just wasn’t the case.?
Davis said he was also upset that they used up 75 percent of their budget for summer camp for use of the high school pool, which cost them $8,000 for an hour a day.
‘Tim comes along and for the next two months comes to my office and sits down we have a full blown agreement now that the commission approved. He took the $8,000 expense for a pool and cut it in half,? Davis explained. ‘How is that possible? I’ll tell you how it’s possible. The man took time out of his day and came over and gave me the respect sat down and saw how we could work something out for the betterment of the community. That’s what we’re all here for and sometimes we lose focus on what we’re trying to do.?
Board President Jim Reis apologized to Davis and noted that he wasn’t aware of ‘that’s how it worked,? referring to the summer camp pool costs.
‘These are things that go on day in and day out that maybe you’re not aware of, but maybe unless you pick up the phone you’re not going to know it, and I’ll be just as guilty by saying you’re not going to pick it up,? Davis replied. ‘I’ll tell you what, I’m not going to call you and rat somebody out on how things are going I won’t do that. That’s called integrity, that’s called honesty, that’s called professionalism and that’s what I had to stand on for the past 20 years I’ve been in this department in this community.?
Davis believes the new agreement is a ‘step in the right direction.?
According to the agreement, an annual flat fee of $1,000 will be billed to parks and rec. ‘to offset the consumables purchased by OCS which will be paid prior to the start of each contract year. Building use fees incurred and custodial hours will be billed monthly to (parks and rec.) for Saturday and Sunday usage of facilities at the yearly established hourly rates??
The initial term of the agreement will be two years ending June 30, 2017 with renewal terms of one year following the initial agreement. Davis liked looking at the contract every year before renewing.
‘I just want to make sure we’re all on the same page because we’re all not going to be here five, 10, 15 years from now, so whenever that (agreement) comes up again I want to make sure the director at that time has the information that he or she needs to position the department so it stays a vital role in this community,? he added. ‘I think our two entities are the most important right here in this community. We attract families, you educate families. Both of our departments or entities keep families here and that’s so vital to this community.?
Trustee Mike Schweig apologized for what took place months ago, but was happy to see things going in a ‘positive direction.?
‘Whether it be in recreation or in studies,? Schweig said. ‘We need to work strongly together and I hope to do that continuing in the future.?
Both Treasurer Dan D’Alessandro and Secretary Mark Stepek were appreciative of Davis and all his department does.
Joyce Brasington said she hopes with new leadership and a new board that there can ‘be more trust within the community.?
‘I actually had called Ron yesterday afternoon to make sure he felt comfortable with this agreement and that he didn’t think the district was slighting him somehow. That shouldn’t have to happen,? Brasington added. ‘We should have the best of intentions when working with our community and I didn’t have that trust yet, so I really appreciate being able to call Ron and say ‘is this a good deal for parks and rec. and for our kids and for our community?? Once you said ‘yes? I was more comfortable with the agreement.?
Trustee Kim Shumaker told Davis that she never questioned his integrity.
‘I want you to know that. I see your passion. I know what you put in coming to a couple of your meetings,? she said. ‘I know you’re about the kids and community, so thank you.?
Davis reaffirmed to the board that the parks and rec. department is on ‘good terms? with the district. He just wanted to get his feelings off his chest, but considers the past ‘water under the bridge.?
‘I appreciate everything you guys do for us,? he said. ‘We just need to keep that line of communication open and may need to take our glasses off and look through our partner’s eyes because it’s always for the best interest of the community as a whole, not just a specific entity.?