Elk Rapids Schools
Bylaws & Policies
 

7510 - USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Board of Education recognizes that the use of school buildings and other facilities as centers for community activities is, in the long run, beneficial to the schools, and believes that such use, with certain reservations, should be encouraged.

7510.1

Use of Facilities for Group Activities
   
 

The Board authorizes the controlled use of school buildings and facilities for group activities, subject to the following conditions:
   
 

A.

Before any group shall be allowed the use of any school facility it shall secure written permission for such use from the Superintendent, the appropriate building principal, or the high school athletic director.
     
 

B.

Student groups and groups engaging exclusively in student activities shall have priority over all other groups to use buildings and facilities.
     
 

C.

Non-student groups and activities shall only be allowed the use of school facilities when such use does not conflict with the regular school program or other school related activities.
     
 

D.

Use of buildings or facilities shall not be permitted for unidentified secret programs, illegal or subversive activities, gambling, raffles, or programs of similar nature.
     
 

E.

Except for small groups under the direct supervision of a District staff member, custodian(s) shall be on duty during and immediately after any activity held on school premises.
     
 

F.

Groups shall be charged an hourly fee to offset custodial and other overhead costs generated during the course of their activities. However, the overhead fee shall be waived under the following circumstances:
     
 

1.

The using group is under the supervision of a District staff member who is present during the entire activity; or
 

2.

The entire activity is held during hours in which custodians are regularly on duty at the site, and the user group is a student group, a local group in which more than half of the membership belongs to the District, an official group of Boy or Girl Scouts of America, a 4-H group, a Little League Group, a governmental agency or other group approved as an affiliate by the Board.
     
 

G.

Persons or groups granted permission to use school facilities for any activity which produces financial profit shall be required to pay a usage fee.
     
 

H.

Any group or organization using school facilities at any time shall have designated a person as being in charge, and responsible for the program or activity. Such designated person shall be a resident, taxpayer or a staff member of the District, and shall be held responsible for leaving the facility(ies) in satisfactory condition, payment for any damages caused by the group and payment of any scheduled fees required.
     
 

I.

Each user and user group shall be financially liable for damages to the facilities or equipment, and may be required in advance to present evidence of the purchase of organizational liability insurance in an amount determined by the Superintendent.
     
 

J.

Use of fixed and movable school equipment in conjunction with the use of school facilities shall be specifically requested in writing, and may be granted provided that no school equipment shall be operated by an unqualified operator, and the users, or the using group, shall assume liability for any loss or damage to such equipment while it is in their use.
   
 

Unless all applicable conditions above have been met, the requested use of school facilities shall be denied. Use may also be denied if the applicant(s) have previously misused school facilities or equipment.

7510.2

Use of Facilities for Disaster Relief
   
 

Should all or any part of the District's community be struck by a disaster, the Board shall make District grounds and/or facilities available, at no charge, for the housing, feeding, and care of victims or potential victims when requested by local, State, or Federal authorities. The Superintendent shall meet with local governing bodies to establish a disaster preparedness plan in order to ensure that proper procedures are established to minimize confusion, inefficiency, and disruption of the educational program.
   

No liability shall attach to this District, any employee, officer, or member of this District specifically as a consequence of permitting access to school facilities.

Administrative guidelines to be followed for faculty use fee schedule and additional prioritization criteria.

M.C.L.A. 380.1268

Revised 12/11/03
Revised 1/27/04