FILE:  KG

Cf:  EBA

 

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

 

 

The Washington Parish School Board believes the functions of school buildings and grounds shall be to accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting the educational, cultural, civic, social, and recreational needs of communities.

 

Use of school buildings by the community shall be considered a secondary function and shall be scheduled at times which do not interfere with regular school activities.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR OUTSIDE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

 

  1. Application for the use of school facilities by outside organizations or agencies shall be submitted to the principal.

  2. The principal shall designate the date the facility is available.

  3. An evaluation of the application shall be made by the principal, who will submit the request to the Superintendent with his/her recommendation.

  4. The application shall include:

 

  1. A "hold harmless" statement having the effect of holding the School Board free from any liability that may arise while the facilities are in use.

  2. A group requiring long-term (seasonal) use of a school building, gym, campus or athletic field and/or a high risk group must purchase liability insurance identifying the School Board as an additional insured.  A certificate verifying the purchase of such insurance shall be presented to the principal, along with the signed application prior to use of the facilities.

  3. A statement that the individual or group shall assume all responsibility for damages and/or maintenance expenses invested in the building, directly or indirectly resulting from their use.

  4. It will be understood that school programs shall have priority over outside groups when scheduling use of school buildings.

  5. The use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all School Board property and vehicles, and at all school-sponsored or school-approved functions.  However, this prohibition shall not be applicable to any tobacco product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and which is marketed and sold solely for such purpose.

    School Board property shall include any elementary or secondary school buildings or grounds, buildings, portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any other property owned, operated, or leased by the School Board.

 

  1. The use of alcoholic beverages shall not be allowed in the buildings or on the grounds at any time.

  2. It will be understood that all student and school equipment shall not be disturbed unless authorized by the school principal.

  3. No activity shall be allowed where possible danger to persons, building or equipment may occur, such as activities with open flames, excess water, etc.

  4. Putting up decorations, scenery, platforms, etc., shall be allowed; however, permission must be granted by the principal.

  5. No scenery or material can be stored in any building except on nights or night that the building is being used.  (Props and other equipment must be moved promptly after the event.)

  6. Nothing shall be sold, given, or exhibited without the permission of the principal of the school.  Concessions and operations shall be under the control of the school administration.

  7. The person or persons who request the use of the building shall be charged and held responsible for the supervision of the building and keeping order and control of the group within the building or stadium.

  8. All fire codes must be followed, which state all access doors and corridors must be open, and the number of people cannot exceed the number set by the fire marshal.

  9. The School Board reserves the right to refuse the use or rental of any of its facilities.

  10. Political rallies, organizations which have for their purpose or advocate overthrow of the government, or money making affairs to benefit individuals or for personal gain, shall be prohibited.  In the event any individual is found using these facilities for his/her personal gain, a hearing by the Board shall be conducted with the person.

 

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

 

  1. No person except authorized personnel shall be allowed to have a key to any school building, unless specific permission has been granted by the Principal.  (Applies to outside organizations.)

    School food service personnel only shall be used in the preparation of any food in a school food service facility, and the school food service manager shall be in charge.  The principal shall determine the number of employees to be used.

 

  1. Pay for all custodial and school food service employees, in connection with the use of school facilities, shall be paid to the Washington Parish School System in the amount outlined in the fee schedule.

  2. Outside agencies shall compensate the employee according to the School Board salary schedule.

  3. Auditoriums (including auditorium-gymnasium when used as auditorium):

 

  1. Auditoriums may not be rented for use during school hours.

  2. Ticket sales or attendance must be limited to the normal seating capacity of the auditorium.

  3. Auditoriums may not be used as a regular meeting place by non-school organizations.

 

  1. Organizations of parents and/or teachers shall not be required to pay for custodial help.  If food service employees are used, these organizations shall be required to pay employees in all instances.

 

COMMUNITY USE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

 

The use of a school building or grounds by community student athletic groups or by outside community adult organizations is authorized and monitored by the school principal.  It is recommended that long-term use (seasonal) of a school building, gym, or athletic field be under the supervision of a school employee either on a paid or volunteer basis to assure the School Board that its facilities are being properly supervised and maintained.  Energy costs are to be closely monitored and used in the proper manner.

 

Where seasonal activities make it impractical for a school employee to be present at all activities, the requesting group must develop with the principal a yearly agreement that includes officers, director, or person(s) responsible for a group to use the facility.  Agreement must include responsibility for opening and closing a facility, campus security, damages, hold harmless agreement, and clean-up responsibilities.  A breach of any of the above could cancel the use of a facility by a group.  When community students are members of these athletic groups, no fees shall be charged.

 

NON-DISCRIMINATION

 

No organization may make use of any facility owned by the Washington Parish School Board if that organization discriminates against participants on the basis of race, color, creed, sex or national origin.  There shall be no discrimination based on handicap unless the handicap would affect the safety or health of the individual.  Nothing herein shall prohibit reasonable academic requirements for participation subject to review by the Superintendent or his/her designee.  Any organization using School Board facilities shall provide notice to the general public by the media and to all Washington Parish students (or students within its geographical area) about its selection of participants and that the organization shall not discriminate against any participant upon the above set forth basis.  The Superintendent or his/her designee shall determine the adequacy of the notice given hereunder and shall investigate complaints of non-compliance and report to the School Board his/her findings.  All organizations shall notify the Superintendent or his/her designee of their desire to use the facilities and submit proof of compliance with this policy.

 

EMERGENCIES

 

In the event of a declared emergency, school facilities may be used in order to provide shelter and services to the general public.  The principal or his/her designee shall be responsible for the facility.

 

Revised:  February, 1988

Revised:  November, 1994

Revised:  July, 2011

Revised:  December 7, 2017

 

 

Ref:    Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec. 14

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง14:91.7, 17:81, 17:240, 40:4, 40:1291.1, 40:1291.2, 40:1291.3, 40:1291.11, 40:1291.21, 40:1291.22

Board minutes, 9-12-85, 12-10-87, 9-8-94, 8-4-11, 12-7-17

 

Washington Parish School Board