I don't think anyone should be charged, profit or non-profit. These facilities are paid for by taxes and are owned by the public, so the public has a right to limited access, such as when classes aren't in session. For example, high school tracks are valuable facilities for people to use for fitness walking and running, especially in this era of obesity. But some schools and coaches discourage access by locking them during hours they'd be used by the public like early evenings and weekends. Glendale high school's track, for example, is locked on weekends and during the entire summer.

Security and wear and tear concerns are valid; but precautionary steps can be taken. Security cameras should be installed and active and at least one security guard should be on duty at all times. Districts can set rules for use like types of shoes, types of activities, etc.

But the bottom line is that the public should have some reasonable access.

It's fine to charge for the use. You see our current city leaders are not as capable as those who ran the city in the 1970's or 1980's.

They lack the will and the courage and the brain power to maintain basic city services as has been done in the past.

Villaraigosa finds it hard (no pun intended) keep the Echo Park paddle boats running (after 80 years of operating).

The LAUSD is the size of a small third world nation and about as poorly run. Failed attempts to build it bigger have resulted in an educational system that turns out high school graduates that can't do simple math without a calculator. And compose a complete sentence; OMG! This top heavy excuse for an educational organization needs to clean it's own house before it seeks to clean the pockets of the non-profits who have traditionally had access to these facilities. It's also important to remember these organizations are supported by the same tax paying parents that are also holding bake sales, car washes and doing whatever else they can to support their children. Education is much more than the three "Rs". Music brings us to our humanity; and sports teaches us not only to press our limits, but the value of integrity and how to deal with disappointment gracefully. It's time for schooling to return to the community and the families who live here. Play Ball!

After taking nearly $40 billion to build schools from the community they now want charges to use these facilities.
LAUSD is an embarrassment and a total failure to the community and the kids.

Break it up into smaller sized districts that can get closer to the community and realize the insult it is to charge nonprofits to use the communities owned facilities.

I would support the nonprofits to pay for direct cost such is added electricity and added staff but a charge to just use the physical facilities is an insult to the community.

There is no such thing as free facilities for taxpayer use – someone has to incur the cost as the District does with the Civic Center permit process, which allow for non-profit youth groups to utilize their facilities at no cost. If a group utilizes a gymnasium, for example, the District has to pay a Youth Services staff member to oversee the event to ensure the group abides by the guidelines set forth in the permit. In addition, the District absorbs costs associated with utilities, insurance related costs, custodial time, and security. I can not think of any other government entity that would provide this level of service to non-profits at no cost. When I celebrated my eldest son’s birthday at Lake Balboa, I had to pay $65 for a permit to secure an area. So why should the District, whose primary mission is to educate the youth of our fine city, be any different? Non-profits ought to pay like everyone else! Surely our mayor with his limitless energy to change the culture of LAUSD (i.e. AB 1381, also known as the Romero Act) can find a solution by setting up an organization to reimburse the District for non-profit permits. After all, his backers were able to provide Tamar Galatzan $3 million to get elected to the school board, which ironically, would almost cover the costs.

If L.A. Unified wants to charge, they should be totally up front about how they spend money now. I don't think they are. I think they want to get the money from the Little League and others without really opening their books and showing how they spend money today. A bureaucracy with nothing to hide would let a Daily News reporter look at everything in the books without hesitation.

I think of a corporation that wants to cut salaries, but doesn't want to answer tough questions about executive salaries or corporate perks. Or, for that matter, a union that avoids letting reporters look at the books, or visit the executive offices at union headquarters.