The Mars Area School District Board of Education voted Tuesday night to reduce fees for outdoor facility use, as defined in district Policy 707.

Policy 707 was reviewed after a representative of the Mars Baseball Association in April disputed an $80,000 bill sent by the district to the association for use of various ball fields.

At that time, the district explained the bill was due to new fees that were put into place two years ago, but not enforced until this year for different reasons.

Several board members expressed their concern over the amount at the April meeting and encouraged the association to meet with the district athletic director and superintendent to find a solution.

Noah Wilson, a Mars Area fourth grader and baseball association member, discussed Tuesday night how detrimental high facility fees could be to families.

“I would like to be able to continue to play baseball in the Mars school district,” said Noah, who attended the virtual meeting with his mother, Kristin. “But if the price has to be bumped up, I'm not sure I'll be able to play anymore.”

Noah said he's been part of the Mars Baseball Association since kindergarten and he doesn't want to stop playing.

He's also worried any rising costs to play will affect other families, including those who voluntarily make the association run.

“I love playing baseball,” Noah said. “All the money we pay to play goes back to us, the kids.”

The revised policy now indicates nonprofit groups can rent outdoor facilities for rates ranging largely from $10 to $50 an hour, depending on location.

Ball fields, the Three Degree Road multipurpose field and the Mars Athletic Complex are available for $35 an hour.

Some district facilities, such as tennis and outdoor basketball courts, are free.

Additional surcharge and personnel fees for all district facilities are added as needed.

Kelly Dunn, a district resident, said Tuesday that while she appreciated the effort to reduce outdoor fees, indoor fees are just as important.“There are other kids in the district who play other activities,” Dunn said.For nonprofit groups such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, Policy 707 states indoor facility fees range from $10 to $60 an hour, depending on location.Dunn said gymnasium fees for groups such as local basketball organizations went from $18 an hour to $35 an hour in the past year.“You've just made it very difficult for all other organizations other than baseball to afford to continue programs for kids in the district,” Dunn said.District officials previously explained the costs were originally established in relation to those of neighboring districts.

Adopting the policy revisions passed unanimously Tuesday. By adopting the revisions, the board waived the 30-day posting period for the public.Board member Dayle Ferguson explained this means the policy immediately goes into effect and can be applied to current facility users.“Sports or (other) activities that are in season now, they will begin to be billed for the lower rate,” Ferguson said.