School board: Fun Days dance card is full

On Monday, June 12, the Esko school board heard a presentation from the Esko Hockey Association about hosting the Esko Fun Days street dance at the district’s sports complex next to the football field.

The hockey group is looking to relocate the event, away from the parking lot at the firehall out of concern for the safety of those walking across the street in the dark, the blocking off of access to the hall, and noise issues.

The board was hesitant to consider allowing an event with alcohol sales to be held on school property.

“I’m a little concerned about precedent and what that opens up long-term,” board member Todd Rengo said. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I get why you want to do it like that, it’s a great venue.”

Other board members echoed Rengo’s concerns about an event that could “open a new can of worms” for the school board.

Superintendent Aaron Fischer said the district could allow an event like this on school property and would not be liable for any mishaps. But, as with any event, they could still be named in a lawsuit if something were to happen.

Board members suggested finding another location for the event, such as North Ridge Park or the town hall grounds, and asked that the Thomson Township board pick up the weight of planning the event instead of placing the burden on the school district.

Board chairman Jerry Frederick said, “It concerns me that Esko Fun Days has fallen, I guess, on Esko schools and Community Ed in the past several years to actually run that, where in most communities the township is actually the one who heads all of that up.”

No motion was made in favor of allowing the event at the sports complex, so the group will have to look into other locations. The group hopes to hold the street dance on Aug. 5.

Budget approved

The board approved the budget for the fiscal year 2024, which begins July 1. It included some minor increases due to new legislation requiring items such as free student lunches and summer unemployment, as well as a utilities increase due to Thomson Township raising sewer rates for the upcoming year.