7510 - USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

Streetsboro City School District

Bylaws & Policies

7510 - USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Board of Education believes that the school facilities of this District should be made available for community purposes, provided that such use does not infringe on the original and necessary purpose of the property or interfere with the educational program of the schools.

The Board will permit the use of school facilities when such permission has been requested in writing by a responsible organization or a group of at least seven (7) citizens and has been approved by the Superintendent.

School facilities will be approved for:

	A.	groups directly related to the schools and the operations of the schools;
	B.	meetings of employee associations;
	C.	for the registration of voters and conduct of elections;
	D.	uses and organizations indirectly related to the schools;
	E.	departments or agencies of the municipal government;
	F.	other governmental agencies;
	G.	community organizations formed for charitable, civic, social, religious, or educational purposes.

The use of school facilities shall not be granted for:

	A.	partisan political activity;
	B.	private social functions;
	C.	any purpose which is prohibited by law.

Should all or any part of the District's community be stuck 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 should meet with the local governing body 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. (R.C. 5915.02-08)

The Superintendent shall develop administrative guidelines for the granting of permission to use District facilities including a schedule of fees which, together with the costs used to determine such fees, must be approved by the Board. Such guidelines are to include the following:

	A.	Each user may be required to present evidence of the purchase of organizational liability insurance to the limit prescribed by District rules.
	B.	The Board reserves the right to override school use permission granted by the administration.
	C.	Users shall be financially liable for damage to the facilities and for proper chaperonage.
	D.	Use of school equipment in conjunction with the use of school facilities must be specifically requested in writing, and may be granted by the procedure by which permission to use facilities is granted. The users of school equipment must accept liability for any damage or loss to such equipment that occurs while it is in their use. Where rules so specify, no item of equipment may be used except by a qualified operator.

The use of school facilities for activities related to the educational program and District operations shall be without cost to the users, except that the users shall be responsible for any damage over and above ordinary wear.

The use of school facilities for any nonprofit community use excepting religious shall be without cost to the users, except that the users shall be responsible for any damage over and above ordinary wear and shall be responsible for any police fees.

The Board shall approve annually a schedule of fees for use of school facilities by all other groups.

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

The Use of School Buildings and School Grounds

A.	General Rules. Entry of all persons, including students, staff, and faculty, into school buildings or upon school grounds are restricted exclusively for the following purposes:

	1.	School District and Board of Education Sponsored Activities and Other School Purposes. The use of school buildings and school grounds shall be available for educational programming and School District operations.

	2.	Social Centers. Upon request of any responsible organization, or of a group of at least seven (7) citizens, and the payment of a reasonable fee, all school buildings and school grounds shall be available for the following limited, social center purposes:

		a.	the entertainment and education of the people, including the adult and youthful population

		b.	the discussion of all topics tending to the development of personal character and of civic welfare

		c.	religious exercises

		Such occupation shall not seriously infringe upon School District and Board of Education sponsored activities, school purposes, or other approved activities and uses.

	3.	Public Meetings and Entertainments. Upon request and the payment of a reasonable fee, all school buildings and school grounds shall be available for the following limited purposes:

		a.	giving instructions in any branch of education, learning, or the arts

		b.	holding educational, religious, civic, social, or recreational meetings and entertainments, and for such other purposes as promote the welfare of the community; provided such meetings and entertainment shall be nonexclusive and open to the general public

		c.	public library purposes, as a station for a public library, or as reading rooms

		d.	polling places, for holding elections and for the registration of voters, and for holding grange or similar meetings

		Such occupation shall not seriously infringe upon School District and Board of Education sponsored activities, school purposes, or other approved activities and uses.

B.	Requests. Requests for the use of school buildings and school grounds must be made in writing and submitted to the Superintendent at least fourteen (14) school days prior to the date of the proposed use.

C.	Approval. The Superintendent shall determine whether to approve a request for the use of school buildings and school grounds within seven (7) school days after receipt of such written request. The Board of Education reserves the right to overrule the Superintendent's decision within two (2) school days after such written decision.

D.	Fees. The Board shall establish a schedule of fees to be charged for the use of school facilities.

E.	Insurance. Each user must present evidence of organizational liability insurance and/or demonstrate the financial capacity to be responsible for any and all damage to the school buildings and school grounds resulting from the use, unless specifically waived by the Superintendent or by action of the Board.

F.	Supervision. Each user shall be responsible for providing any and all supervision relating to the use of school buildings and school grounds.

	G.	Hold Harmless. Each user must agree to hold harmless the Board of Education, the School District, officials, representatives, agents, and employees thereof.

	H.	School Grounds. "School Grounds" include all school owned roads, driveways, and walkways.

	I.	Nonpublic Forum. Use of school buildings and school grounds under this policy shall not be construed or deemed to create a public forum.

	J.	Trespassing. Any unauthorized entrance into a school building or upon school grounds shall constitute criminal trespass.

R.C. 3313.75 - .79, 3501.29
P.L. 98-377

Revised 9/10/92
Revised 7/13/95
Revised 3/00