After a representative of the NewArts Foundation requested a waiver for rental fees associated with using Hawley Elementary School this summer at the Board of Education's meeting on April 19, the board voted on May 4 to charge the foundation 25 percent of the full cost, instead of fully waiving the potential charges.School of Rock and The Wizard of Oz, will be shown at Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel in August. School of Rock, a brand-new musical based on the famous Paramount film written by Mike White, which starred Jack Black, according to the organization, will run August 5-7. The Wizard of Oz will run August 11-14.newartsct.org.

This will be the fourth summer the NewArts: Newtown Musicals theater program has offered summer opportunities to local children.

NewArts Executive Board member Skeff Bissett represented the foundation before the Board of Education at both meetings. At the April 19 meeting, Mr Bissett requested the waiver and said the children in the program are roughly 95 percent from Newtown.

This year, due to the Newtown High School auditorium renovation project, NewArts requested use of space at Hawley Elementary School from June 20 to July 17 for rehearsals. This year's musicals,

"This organization means something to the kids like you wouldn't believe," said Mr Bissett on April 19.

This year NewArts is charging participation costs, according to the April 19 presentation. Primary cast members are charged $125 a week for participating in the program. Ensemble and chorus members are charged half of the cost.

"As most things, it does cost money," said Mr Bissett, speaking about the operational costs of putting on the productions, like paying professionals for their time.

Mr Bissett told the school board at its May 4 meeting the foundation is also offering financial assistance to participants in need, and the per-participant cost of producing the musicals is roughly $1,000 per child.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, estimated the full rental cost for the space at Hawley School would be about $38,438. The actual cost of renting the space won't be calculated until after the space is used. The Board of Education's vote at its meeting on May 4 will charge 25 percent of the total cost to the foundation.

Dr Erardi said the motion was "precedential," as the school board's past practice has been to waive rental fees or charge the full cost.

"It doesn't mean that it's something we will fall back on in future use, but at least under my leadership it will be the first time there is a percentage used rather than all in or not at all," said Dr Erardi.

Board of Education Vice Chair Michelle Ku reminded her fellow board members of a "divided" feeling when NewArts requested its waiver for rental fees last year, when the foundation first presented the possibility of charging for participation. Ms Ku said the motion to charge 25 percent "follows up on the feeling that was happening last year."

Board of Education member Rebekah Harriman-Stites said the school board's policy is to waive rental fees for organizations that do not charge participation fees.

While he did not support charging 25 percent of the rental fees as he said it would look like a donation, board member Andrew Clure said he would  support a 10 percent reduced rental rate.

Ms Harriman-Stites said there are a lot of great organizations in town and she was struggling with waiving the fee when there is a participation fee, making it inaccessible, she said, to some students.

An amendment to offer a 10 percent reduced rental rate failed in a 2-3 vote, with Mr Clure and Ms Harriman-Stites voting in favor. Board members Kathy Hamilton and John Vouros were not present for the meeting.

Mr Bissett said the reduced rate would not work for the foundation, and charging 25 percent of the renal fees would cause the foundation to reevaluate options. He later said the foundation is not in a position where it would turn down participants.

"What other nonprofits are asking to use the facility?" Mr Bissett asked.

The school board discussed the educational value of the NewArts program and the idea of looking at its policy concerning rental fees further.

The school board voted 3- 2, with Mr Clure and Ms Harriman-Stites against the motion, to charge 25 percent of the rental fees for using the proposed space at Hawley School this summer.

The productions will be presented at the Walnut Hill Community Church auditorium, 156 Walnut Hill Road in Bethel.

More information about the musical productions and the organization is available at