Use of Buildings

1. NO PUBLIC USE WITHOUT PERMISSION. In accordance with the law, buildings may be used for free discussion of public questions and subjects of general public interest, for the meeting of organizations of citizens and for such other civic, social and educational purposes as will not interfere with the use of the building for school purposes. No part of the building is to be used without permission being granted by the Superintendent or the Board. Applications for the use of the premises shall be made in writing, and shall state the date and purpose of the use, no admission charge is to be made for the purpose of raising funds for non-district activities. Parent/teacher organizations, Scout, educational and other school activity organizations which may be granted use of certain rooms for regular meeting purposes shall not use other rooms in the building to hold meetings or entertainments on other than the regular meeting night unless written application is made for the use of same as provided above.

No charge will be made for any “strictly school” activities or for regular meetings of the PTO or executive council of the PTO. No charge will be made to Scouts or similar organizations so long as no additional cost is incurred in custodial support, who would not normally be on duty and if no extra work is incurred in setting up chairs, equipment, etc.

1. The use of the school buildings on Saturday and Sunday should be limited. When the buildings are rented on Saturday or Sunday, an additional charge over and above the minimum charge is required. Keys can be issued for building use on weekends only. Keys are to be check in and out as use occurs. When a key is issued, the key can only be issued at times as stated on the building use agreement.
2. Special permission must be received to serve refreshments.
3. CANCELLATION OF APPLICATION: Any cancellation of reserved dates must be made in writing at least twenty-four hours before the date on which meetings are scheduled. The Board of Education reserves the right to cancel any arrangements for use of buildings upon due notice in advance.
4. RENTAL CHARGE PAYMENT: All rental charges for use of buildings are due and payable at least twenty-four hours before the date on which the building is to be used.
5. SALE, CONSUMPTION OR POSSESSION OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES shall not be permitted on School District premises at any time. Nor shall any person who is in a drunken or intoxicated condition, or who is under the influence of liquor, be permitted on School District premises. The person in charge of the meeting will be held responsible for the enforcement of this rule.
6. DAMAGE OR BREAKAGE occurring in any building or ground on account of the activities of an organization using it as a meeting place shall be paid for by the organization.
7. No use of equipment shall be granted unless an instructor or attendant, approved by the Board of Education, is in charge of the rooms or equipment.

The following regulations have been established to govern the use of school facilities by non-school groups:

1. Written application for a permit to use school facilities shall be made with the Superintendent/designee for a date satisfactory to the requirements of the school program.
2. The Superintendent/designee will be responsible for maintaining an accurate calendar of all uses of school facilities by school and community groups.
3. The Board shall have final authority in interpreting Board policy, and in settling disputes regarding the eligibility of non-school group’s use of District facilities.
4. A majority of an organization’s members must be residents of the School District before the organization’s application for use of school facilities will be considered.
5. The signing of an application for use of school facilities shall be interpreted as a guarantee to the District that the organization will be responsible for the proper use of the premises, for proper adult supervision, for orderly conduct of the meetings held under its control and for prompt payment to the District to cover any damage to school property resulting from the organization’s use of the facility.
6. The person whose signature appears on the application will be held responsible for fulfilling the terms of the contract, and must be a citizen of the School District.
7. The Board shall not surrender its control of school property, and shall have the right to countermand the use of any school premises at any time if it decides it is in the best interest of the District. Use of school premises shall not be granted if it interferes with school-sponsored activities.
8. Any service club may have the use of the school building and charge admission, only when the money obtained is to be used for school improvement.
9. Organizations desiring to serve meals must receive special permission from the Superintendent/designee.
10. When school cafeterias are used, a cafeteria employee shall be hired to supervise the use of equipment.
11. No apparatus or equipment shall be brought into the school buildings except upon written permission of the Superintendent/designee.
12. Use of school equipment shall not be granted unless approval is received from the building principal and, such equipment, is properly supervised by an employee of the District, if deemed necessary, by the building principal.
13. Buildings will be closed on school holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Spring Break, Easter Vacation and Summer Break.
14. When the Superintendent/designee has declared the schools “closed” because of inclement weather, the buildings will be closed.
15. The Superintendent/designee shall have the authority to approve routine applications. If, in the Superintendent’s/designee’s opinion, an application calls for the use of the building for extraordinary purposes, the application shall be referred to the Board of Education. “Extraordinary purposes” shall include such programs or activities beyond the routine activities that have by custom and practice become acceptable to the Board.
16. In case of an emergency, the Superintendent/designee reserves the right to cancel, at his/her discretion, any scheduled activity of a non-school group. Such cancellation shall be made as early as possible so that all persons involved can be notified.
17. The use of tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, profane language or gambling in any form is not permitted in school buildings.
18. A fee shall be collected from non-school individuals and organizations to pay for operational and custodial services and/or Kitchen.