While the District’s school buildings and grounds are maintained primarily for the purpose of educating students within the District, the Board of Education recognizes that the buildings and grounds are a valuable community resource and believes that this resource should be available to the community for specific uses that will not interfere with educational activities. This policy is intended to identify the uses that community groups may make of those facilities.
Permitted Uses
District facilities may be used for the purposes listed below, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in this policy.
- Instruction in any branch of education, learning or the arts.
- Public library purposes, subject to provisions of the Education Law, or as stations of public libraries.
- Social, civic and recreational meetings and entertainments, or other uses pertaining to the welfare of the community so long as such uses are non exclusive and open to the general public.
- Meetings, entertainment and occasions where admission fees are charged, when the proceeds are to be spent for an educational or charitable purpose.
- Polling places for holding primaries and elections, for the registration of voters.
- Civic forums and community centers.
- Recreation, physical training and athletics, including competitive athletic contests of children attending a private, nonprofit school.
- Child-care programs when school is not in session, or when school is in session for the children of students attending schools of the District and, if there is additional space available, for children of employees of the District.
- Graduation exercises held by not-for-profit elementary and secondary schools, provided that no religious service is performed.
Additionally, as a condition of receiving state funding, the District permits access to military recruiters to school buildings, grounds and facilities to the same extent it provides access to those who inform students of educational, occupational or career opportunities.
Prohibited Uses
Any use not permitted by this policy is prohibited. In addition, the following uses are specifically prohibited.
- Meetings sponsored by political organizations, except for the sole use of student participation by those Board-approved student organizations (e.g., Young Republicans).
- Meetings, entertainments and occasions that are under the exclusive control of and the proceeds are to be applied for the benefit of a society, association or organization or a religious sect or denomination or of a fraternal, secret or exclusive society or organization, other than veterans’ organizations or volunteer fire fighters or volunteer ambulance workers.
- Meetings sponsored by groups or organizations that employ or promote discriminatory practices.
Conditions of Use for District Facilities
- Use of District facilities may be permitted unless such facilities are in use for school purposes, or during educational programs. The District reserves exclusive and nonreviewable judgment to determine if a requested use would interfere with or disturb the District’s educational programs.
- To ensure that District facilities are preserved for the benefit of the greater District community, only community based groups and organizations (that is, groups which are located within the geographic area covered by the District) may be granted access to district facilities.
- Use of District facilities will be permitted only where the applicant agrees to pay the District a user fee according to a schedule adopted by the District to cover the costs of heat, electricity, maintenance, custodial services and any other expenses associated with the requested use. Use is further conditioned upon the applicant’s agreement to pay additional fees associated with the use of any additional services or equipment. The District retains the right to condition use upon an applicant depositing with the District a sum equaling the estimated costs and fees associated with the proposed use 10 days in advance of the requested use. The District retains the further right to waive user fees for groups that are associated with or sponsored by the District.
- Where, in the judgment of the District, the requested use of District facilities requires special equipment or supervision, the District reserves the right to deny such use, or in the alternative, to condition such use upon the applicant’s payment of additional fees in accordance with paragraph C above. Only authorized personnel shall operate District equipment.
- Use of District facilities will only be permitted where the organization provides the District timely evidence of adequate insurance coverage ($1,000,000 minimum) to save the District harmless from all liability, property damage, personal injuries and/or medical expenses. The District will exercise complete and unreviewable discretion regarding what constitutes adequate insurance coverage for each proposed use.
- The Board reserves the discretion to deny use of District facilities described above, or to terminate use of District facilities:
- In a contingent budget;
- By an applicant who has previously misused or abused District facilities or property or who has violated this policy;
- For any use which could have the effect of violating the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution or other provisions of the United States or New York State Constitutions;
- For any use which, in the estimation of the Board, could reasonably be expected to or actually does give rise to a riot or public disturbance;
- For any use which the Board deems inconsistent with this policy;
- For any use by a private for-profit entity that has the direct or indirect effect of promoting the products or services of such entity;
- In any instance where alcoholic beverages or unlawful drugs are sold, distributed, consumed, promoted or possessed;
- For any use prohibited by law.
Application Procedure for Use of District Facilities
- All applications for use of school facilities shall be made in writing and submitted to the Superintendent of Schools or designee for approval at least 30 days prior to the date of the requested use. A use permit application is available in the office of the School Business Official and in Principals’ offices.
- The applicant must clearly and completely describe the intended use of the District facility in the application.
- All applicants may review this policy and regulation prior to submitting the application. All applications must be signed by an authorized agent of the group or organization requesting use who will attend and supervise the event. The applicant’s signature on the application shall attest to the group or organization’s intent to comply with all Board policies and regulations and to use District facilities strictly in accordance with the use described in the application.
- All applicants must agree to assume responsibility for all damages resulting from its use of District facilities. Proof of adequate insurance must be provided by the applicant at least 10 days before the date of the requested use.
- Permits shall be valid only for the facility, use, dates and time specified in the permit. No adjustment to the permit is allowed except with the prior written approval of the Superintendent or designee. Permits shall not be transferable.
- The Superintendent or designee is authorized to alter or cancel any permit if it becomes necessary to use the facility for school purposes or for other justifiable reason.
- With regard to scheduling activities, the District retains the right to give preference to groups and organizations which are associated with or sponsored by the District.
- Issuance of a permit shall not limit the right of access to the facility by District staff.
Ref:
- Education Law §414
Adoption date: August 28, 1995
Revised: November 12, 2002
Revised: December 12, 2011
Revised: July 11, 2016
Reviewed: February 27, 2017
Revised: October 15, 2019