School Board of Alachua County
Bylaws & Policies
 

7440.02 - DAMAGED, LOST, OR STOLEN PROPERTY

The principal, cost center manager, or designee shall notify the following when any school property has been vandalized, stolen, or lost:

 A.the proper law enforcement agency immediately to provide such information as may be available if the property is believed to have been stolen;

 B.the Property Control Department, with a copy of the report, so that the property record may be appropriately changed if the property is not recovered;
 C.the District office by telephone and in writing, with a copy of such notice being sent to the Superintendent or designee; and
 D.Risk Management Department, for insurance purposes.

The custodian of the property records shall prepare a written report including copies of related police reports and recommendations to the Superintendent if the property is not recovered within thirty (30) days.

The principal, cost center manager, or designee shall contact maintenance personnel immediately to request repairs if needed to secure the area vandalized or from which property has been stolen.

If damage to property exceeds the deductible amount incorporated in applicable insurance coverage, a claim shall be filed with the risk management office.

By Students

A student who willfully damages school property shall be properly disciplined and his/her parent(s) or legal guardian, if the student is a minor, shall be requested, in writing, to restore or to replace any damaged property in accordance with the true value as determined by the principal, the responsible District department head, or in extreme circumstances the Superintendent and/or Board. In cases of vandalism, a student shall be subject to suspension or expulsion from school for serious misconduct. The Code of Student Conduct shall identify disciplinary procedures for students who abuse school property. An adult student involved in the destruction of school property shall be held solely responsible for the damages.

A civil action against the student’s parent(s) or legal guardian may be instituted by the Board in an appropriate action to recover damages in an amount not to exceed the limit prescribed by Florida statues if vandalism or theft of school property is known to have been committed by a minor and the parent(s) or legal guardian refuses to restore or replace the property.

By Persons Other Than Students

In case of willful or negligent damage of property belonging to the Board, whether real or personal, the user shall be responsible for the payment or replacement of such damage in accordance with the true value as established by the Superintendent.

By Organizations Under Use Permits

An organization granted a permit for the use of property belonging to the Board shall be responsible for any undue damage to the buildings, equipment, or grounds beyond that which would be considered normal wear and tear and shall repay any such damage in accordance with the true value as established by the Superintendent. Failure to comply with such payment shall cause the individual, group, or organization to lose eligibility for further use of Board-owned property and such legal action as the Board deems proper to recover the amount of damages.

Each user shall provide a certificate of general liability insurance coverage in the amount of at least $500,000.00 for each occurrence and $50,000.00 for property damage. The Board shall be named on the face of the certificate as an additional insured. This certificate must be filed with the risk management department of the Board prior to the use of the facility.

Any person who sponsors or promotes an event to be held on or within Board property or facilities must reasonably protect such property or facilities and, after the event, must provide for all necessary clean-up, repair, and restoration of such property or facilities to its condition prior to the event, so that such property or facilities are suitable for normal use.

F.S. 255.045, 1006.07, 1013.22

Adopted 7/17/07
Revised 10/6/09