POLICY 707

Purpose

The Board recognizes that although the primary purpose of the school buildings, facilities and property is to provide students with an appropriate learning environment, the Board may make school facilities available to individuals and community groups without discrimination and in accordance with this policy, provided the use does not interfere with the educational program of the schools.

Authority

Before any activity using school facilities is announced or advertised, it must be approved by the Board. Written requests for the use of school facilities should be made well in advance, using the district’s Request and Agreement Form. Requests will be reviewed by the building principal and presented at the subsequent School Board meeting. The Board reserves the right to deny any request, if it believes that it would be in the best interest of the district to do so.[1][2]

The Board directs that use of school facilities may be granted to individuals and community groups for the following types of activities:

1. Instruction in any branch of education, learning and the arts, consistent with the school district's mission.
    
2. Social, civic and recreational meetings and entertainment, and other uses pertaining to the welfare of the community; but such use shall be non-exclusive and open to the public without charge.
    
3. Polling places for holding primaries, elections and special elections, as permitted or required by state law.
    
4. Recreation, physical training and athletics, including competitive athletic contests for children and adults.

The Board shall establish a schedule of fees for the use of school facilities by approved groups.[1]

The Board directs that the use of school facilities shall not be granted for:

1. Partisan political activity.
    
2. Private social functions.
    
3. Any purpose prohibited by law.

Delegation of Responsibility

The Superintendent shall ensure that this policy is posted on the district’s publicly accessible website.[3]

Written requests for the use of school facilities will be accepted from organizations, groups and businesses. Requests must be made using the district's Request and Agreement Form and should be addressed to the Board in care of the appropriate building principal.

All arrangements shall be made through the appropriate building principal, who has the responsibility for all details concerning the use of school facilities.

Guidelines

Continuous Use

An organization, group or business may not use school facilities continuously for more than nine (9) months.[1]

District Personnel Supervision

If, in the opinion of the building principal, additional staffing is required, such as auditorium supervisors, lighting technicians, sound technicians, custodians, coaches or other school employees, the requesting organization shall pay the appropriate fee as established by Board policy or the negotiated contract.

Police and Traffic Control

Adequate and appropriate police and parking supervision must be arranged with the building principal. Costs for police and traffic control will be the responsibility of the user.

Financial Responsibility

Users of school facilities will be billed for all established fees. Checks must be made payable to the Wayne Highlands School District.

Users are responsible for prompt payment of any damage to school property caused during the use of a school facility. At the option of the school administration, the posting of a bond or other conditions to protect district property may be required.

Users will be charged fixed hourly rates for custodial employees and lighting and/or sound technicians as required. The Board, on a case-by-case basis, may elect to waive any or all fees for nonprofit organizations whose activities have a direct educational, athletic, cultural or social benefit for students enrolled in the district.

Educational Organizations

Educational organizations or institutions providing a service to the residents of the district shall have all fees waived except those listed.

Other Than Nonprofit Rental Request

Any request for the use of school facilities by an individual or group which is not recognized as nonprofit and which involves subleasing for a fee or fees may be denied at the discretion of the Board.

A request for the use of school facilities whose purpose appears to be primarily a function for profit with little or no educational, social or recreational value to the community may be denied at the discretion of the Board.

Limitations

No use of school facilities will be approved if the proposed activity would result in any of the following:

1. Conflict with any school-sponsored activity.
    
2. Access to school facilities closed due to renovations, maintenance, cleaning, the school calendar or Board action.
    
3. Access to school facilities containing equipment or furnishings which, if damaged or operated by an unqualified operator, would be detrimental to the operation of a district program.
    
4. Prevent district personnel from preparing school facilities for their primary purpose because of the nature or duration of the activity.

When an organization, group or business receives permission to use school facilities under this policy, such use shall be conditioned upon strict compliance with the following:

1. Individuals shall not use, access or enter upon any portions of the school facilities or their contents not specified in the approved request form.
    
2. Individuals shall refrain from any conduct or activities not specifically identified in the approved request form.
    
3. School equipment used in conjunction with requested facilities shall be identified when the request is submitted. Users of school equipment must accept responsibility for any damage to or loss of equipment that occurs while in their use. Where rules so specify, no equipment may be used except by a qualified operator provided by the district.

Prohibited Activities

Use of the facilities of the Wayne Highlands School District is governed by law. The following activities are strictly prohibited in school facilities when individual community groups are granted written permission to use said school facilities:[2]

1. Possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs and/or alcoholic beverages.
    
2. Possession of weapons.
    
3. Conduct that would alter, damage or be injurious to any district property, equipment or furnishings.
    
4. Conduct that would constitute a violation of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, and/or state and federal laws and regulations.
    
5. Gambling, games of chance, lotteries, raffles or other activities requiring a license under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, unless such activity has been expressly authorized by the Board or administration.[4][5]
    
6. Use of tobacco and vaping products, and other e-cigarettes, as defined in the law.[6][7][8][9]

         7. Medical marijuana products as prohibited by federal law.

Violations

The district reserves the right to remove from district premises any individual or group who fails to comply with the terms and conditions of this policy and established procedures.[2]

In the event an individual or group violates this policy or the terms under which permission was granted to use school facilities, that individual or group forfeits the right to submit future requests to use district property, unless otherwise decided by the Board.