Policy 7.18

Community Use of School Facilities

The School Board recognizes the use of school facilities by community and commercial organizations may be mutually beneficial to all parties involved. The Superintendent or designee shall manage and supervise the leasing process for the community use of the District's school facilities.

1. Definitions.

1. Non-profit organizations - shall include civic, religious, or community organizations that qualify as non-profit entities under the Internal Revenue Service Code or governmental entities.

2. Commercial organizations - shall include all for-profit organizations.

3. Community Organizations - All non-profit and commercial organizations

4. School-Based Organizations - those volunteer organizations generated by the existence of the school (e.g. booster clubs, parent-teacher organizations or associations).

5. Pre-Qualification - the process of a community organization, both commercial and non-profit, qualifying to enter into lease agreements with the District for the use of school facilities.

2. Pre-Qualification and Fee Structure

1. The Superintendent or designee shall establish and revise, as needed, a district-wide rate schedule for the use of school facilities by community organizations on a non-profit and commercial basis.

2. All community organizations shall be pre-qualified by the Superintendent, or designee, before any leases are executed by the District on an annual basis, unless the lease is governed by an interlocal agreement. No pre-qualification or leases are required for organizations that maintain their funds in a school's internal accounts.

3. All lease fees shall be governed by the district-wide rate schedule. A partial or complete waiver of a fee may be approved by the Superintendent, or designee, under the following conditions:

1. The lessee is a non-profit organization; and,

2. The facility shall be used for the benefit of the District's student population. Such benefits may include recreational activities, fund raising for student activities, or providing students with the opportunity to engage in activities that are consistent with the District's mission and curriculum.

The Superintendent or designee may establish further exceptions to the rate schedule.

4. Liability insurance coverage is required under all lease agreements. County or municipal lessees, leasing under an interlocal agreement are required to carry liability insurance unless the lessee is self-insured by the unit of local government.

5. The Superintendent, or designee, shall establish criteria for approving or renewing a pre-qualification.

6. Pre-qualification by the Superintendent, or designee, does not obligate a school to enter into a lease agreement. 

3. Execution of Leases

1. Upon pre-qualification of a community organization, a principal may execute a lease agreement with that organization.

2. Unless permitted by this Policy or the Superintendent or designee, no fees may be charged under a lease agreement other than those listed in the district-wide rate schedule.

3. No leases shall extend beyond the end of the fiscal year unless permitted by the Superintendent, or designee.

4. Termination of Pre-Qualification And Lease Agreements

1. The Superintendent, or designee, may cancel leases or revoke pre-qualifications upon twenty-four (24) hours written notice to the lessee or applicant, respectively.

5. Interlocal Agreements

1. Upon recommendation by the Superintendent, or designee, all interlocal agreements shall be approved by the School Board. Interlocal agreements do not require pre-qualification as outlined in this policy. Generally, governmental entities shall enter into an interlocal agreement with the District for use of school facilities. 

Pages 7.21 - 7.211