Butler city, school district agree on terms to jointly operate Pullman Park
BUTLER TWP — Butler Area School District and the City of Butler are officially entering a new joint venture.
The Butler Area School District board voted unanimously at a meeting on Monday, June 9, to approve a management agreement for Michelle Krill Field at Historic Pullman Park, set to begin on July 1. The agreement will establish an initial 10-year term with options to extend or terminate it.
“Building better communities and building better schooling go hand in hand, and I think this is something that moves us in the best direction,” board member Terry Stivason said after the vote.
The board’s approval marks the final steps in a monthslong effort between the district and the city toward an agreement.
Talks began in fall 2024, when Mayor Bob Dandoy approached the district with the idea of operating the park. Since then, the city and district worked to develop an amicable agreement. On May 29, city council voted unanimously to approve a nearly-finalized management agreement.
The district expects no initial out-of-pocket expenses, as the city will cover all repairs, such as the field turf.
“So, the city is contributing a few hundred thousand dollars to make repairs and upgrades,” White explained. “The belief and our expectation is that fees will sustain the operations of the park as well as start to slowly put away money for future capital improvements.”
According to the agreement, an operating fund and capital projects fund will be established for the park. Revenue from the park will be deposited into the operating fund, which can be accessed by the district superintendent for any expenses under $25,000.
First, the city will move to dissolve the City of Butler Parks Recreational Grounds and Facilities Authority and gain ownership of the park. It will also pay all of the authority’s outstanding debts.
Then, the city and district will work together to create a list of capital projects for the park. The city will then contribute the cost to the park’s capital projects fund. The capital projects fund can only be accessed with the approval of both parties.
Day-to-day, the district will bear the authority and responsibility to supervise, manage and control the operations of the park. This includes scheduling, staffing and marketing of the park and all activities hosted there.
The district will also supervise and control financial operations and work, such as grass cutting, repairs and routine maintenance, at the park. The district will further hold responsibility over employment and the contracting of third-party vendors.
The district will provide the city with annual operating reports detailing revenue, operating expenses, account balances and more. Annually, the two funds will be audited and the two organizations will meet to review finances and allocate money into the capital projects fund from either the operating fund or from them directly.
Either party to the agreement is able to terminate at any time if it gives a 180-day notice to the other and works to minimize disruptions to the park. If the agreement is terminated, the district will retain half the capital project fund balance, minus any money directly provided by the city.
