| Wapakoneta City Schools |
| Bylaws & Policies |
7510 - USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
The Board 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 and is harmonious with the purposes of this District.
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 or designee.
In weighing competing interests for the use of facilities, the Board will give priority in the order following:
| A. | the operations of the schools including student and teacher groups | |
| B. | uses and groups directly related to the schools | |
| C. | uses and organizations indirectly related to the schools including P.T.O. | |
| D. | community church groups | |
| E. | uses for the registration of voters and conduct of elections | |
| F. | departments or agencies of the municipal government | |
| G. | other governmental agencies | |
| H. | community organizations formed for charitable, civic, social or educational purposes | |
| I. | community political groups |
Facilities shall also be made available to any certified candidate for public office and any recognized political party or organization for the purpose of conducting public discussions of public questions and issues. The facilities shall be free of charge and available only after regular school hours. Users shall abide by all District guidelines and rules regarding the use of District grounds and facilities and be liable for any damage incurred. Under no circumstances shall the grounds or facilities be used to raise funds for political purposes.
The use of school facilities shall not be granted for the advantage of any commercial or profit-making organization, partisan political activity, private social functions, use on Sunday for any purpose, any meeting which is exclusive and not open to the general public, and any purpose which is prohibited by law.
The Superintendent shall develop procedures for the granting of permission to use school facilities and shall promulgate administrative guidelines for such use which shall include:
| A. | Each user shall present evidence of the purchase of organizational liability insurance to the limit prescribed by District rules. | |
| B. | 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. | |
| C. | The Board reserves the right to override school use permission granted by the administration. | |
| D. | Users shall be financially liable for damage to the facilities and for proper chaperonage. |
The Board shall approve annually a schedule of fees for the use of school facilities based upon the following factors:
| A. | 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, any extra custodial fees and any police fees. | |
| B. | 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, any extra custodial fees, and any police fees. |
All other organizations or persons granted the use of schools shall assume the scheduled fee therefor and the cost of such additional services as may be required.
R.C. 3313.75-.79, 3501.29
P.L. 98-377
Revised 4/18/91
Revised 5/20/93