Mailbag: Schools should drop their rental prices

So let me see if I have this right. The Glendale Unified School District is charging private companies more to use its facilities (“School board OKs fee hikes for firms,” July 31). Which means these companies will then pass along the extra fees to the private sector. Which means fewer people will attend because they can’t afford the hike in fees. Which means private companies will book fewer events because the ticket sales are weak.

Here’s a novel idea: How about dropping the rental price and making a concerted effort to attract more private companies? Thus, you’re more attractive because you charge less. Subsequently, they charge less, and more people come. More private companies see the great deal and book here instead of somewhere else.

This is not a time to be pennywise and pound foolish. This is not a time to take the easy way out. Anybody can raise fees. But it takes a visionary to find a solution that benefits everyone.

Right now, it’s a lose-lose all the way around.

Dave Cater

Montrose