The board subscribes to the belief that public schools are
owned and operated by and for its patrons. The public is encouraged to use
school facilities but shall be expected to reimburse the district for such use
to insure that funds intended for education are not used for other purposes. On
recommendation of the superintendent, the board shall set the rental rates
schedule.
The superintendent is authorized to establish procedures
for use of school facilities, including rental rates, supervisory requirements,
restrictions, and security. Those using school facilities shall maintain
insurance for accident and liability covering persons using the district’s
facilities under the sponsorship of the organization. For rental rate purposes,
organizations seeking the use of school facilities have been divided into three
categories:
School or
Child-related Groups or Other Government Agencies include those
organizations whose main purpose is to promote the welfare of boys and girls or
to provide members of the community access to government programs or
opportunities for civic participation. Examples are: Scouts, Campfire, PTA,
4-H, governmental groups, polling places, political caucuses and governmental
groups. When facilities are used outside of regular school hours,
or the district incurs extra utility, cleaning or supervision costs, a fee, to
be established by the Community Education Director, shall be charged to recoup
those costs.
Nonprofit Groups
includes those organizations which might wish to use school facilities for
lectures, promotional activities, rallies, entertainment, college courses, or
other activities for which public halls or commercial facilities generally are
rented or owned. The district shall charge a rental rate in excess of costs
incurred, except that such excess charges may be waived when a service club or
other nonprofit group is raising funds for charitable purposes. To be granted
this exception, the charitable organization must be recognized by the
Philanthropic Division of the Better Business Bureau. Professional fund raisers
representing charities must provide evidence that they are registered and
bonded by the state of
Nonprofit groups of the kind that in most communities have
their own facilities (churches, lodges, veterans groups, granges, etc.) who
wish to use district facilities on a regular, but temporary, basis may do so under
this rental rate, but for no more than two years and may not average more than
twelve hours of use per week unless specifically approved by the school board.
Commercial
Enterprises include profit-making organizations and business-related
enterprises. While the district would prefer these organizations use commercial
or private facilities, facilities may be rented for non-regular use at the
prevailing rate charged by commercial facilities in the area.
District-sponsored activities, including curricular and co-curricular functions, retain first priority in use of facilities. Authorization for use of school facilities shall not be considered as endorsement of or approval of the activity group or organization nor for the purposes it represents.
Legal References: RCW 28A.320.510 Night
schools, summer schools, meetings, use of facilities for
RCW
28A.335.150 Permitting
use and rental of play-grounds, athletic fields, or athletic facilities
RCW
28A.335.155 Use of
buildings for youth programs — Limited immunity
AGO
1973 No. 26, I-276 School
districts — Use of school facilities for presentation of programs — Legislature
— Elections
Adoption Date: February 2005