KF - Community Use of School Facilities
KF - CommunityCOMMUNITY UseUSE ofOF SchoolSCHOOL FacilitiesFACILITIES
TheFor Boardthe purpose of Directorsthis ofpolicy, MSAD 35 recognizes that all district facilities are supported largely by local tax dollars, and wishes to allow these buildings and fields to be used by community members. The Board will make “school facilitiesfacilities” available to community-based organizations for functions that are public, civic, and nonprofit in nature, and that are for the general cultural, educational, and recreational good of the community. Schools shall not be used as a substitute for churches or funeral parlors.
The first priority for the use of school facilities, defined asinclude buildings and grounds, parking lots, playing fields and fixed equipment,equipment.
It is the Board’s desire that the local taxpayers who provide the school should be able to obtain maximum use of the facilities, to the extent consistent with the primary educational function of the school. It is intended that community uses for educational, recreational, social, civic, and philanthropic and like purposes be approved by the administration, in accordance with this policy, the implementing regulations, and a fee schedule approved annually by this Board.
The Superintendent is responsible for developing administrative regulations which provide for: timely applications; uses which do not interfere with educational or extracurricular programs of the public school students; preference to local, not-for-profit organizations; and the acceptance of appropriate responsibility and liability.
The following provisions apply to community use:
A. A certificate of insurance shall be forrequired as appropriate to the benefitparticular use;
B. No alcoholic beverages may be brought onto school property at any time;
C. Tobacco is not allowed on school property;
D. School facilities may not be used for any illegal purposes;
E. Community adults and enjoymentchildren are free to use outdoor grounds and facilities for recreation whenever not otherwise scheduled. However, formal approval of buildings and grounds use will only be granted to recognized organizations and groups;
F. Any approval of the students of MSAD 35 School District. Therefore, regular school programs and school-sponsored events will be given priority over non-school events. The Board requires that community use of district facilities at no time interfere with the operation of the schools. In addition, all community use of school facilities willis to require the signing of a Facility Use Agreement setting forth the conditions of use;
G. Application for use is to be monitoredmade tothrough assurethe thatPrincipal, facilitieswith are not damaged or otherwise misused by individuals or groups.
School facilities are available for public use subject to availability andfinal approval determined by the Superintendent; and
H. Repeat use may be denied to any group which has not demonstrated appropriate conduct and care.
Facility use may be granted without rental charge, as follows:
A. MSAD 35 SchoolEmployees
B. Eliot
Other groups shall schedulepay allrent, communityin advance, on a multi-increment scale which reflects highest amounts for groups engaging in a profit-making enterprise on school grounds.
The following may be requested of any group:
A. Reimbursement for incidental expenses (e.g., utilities);
B. A deposit with the application, refundable after leaving the facility in satisfactory condition;
C. Reimbursement for property damage and any cleaning and repair costs;
D. Reimbursement for custodian or other staff costs when necessary to the use of school facilities. In the event that a non-school event has received prior approval, efforts will be made to schedule school programs around that event.
Use of School Equipment
The principal is authorized to approve the loan of school furniturefacility; and equipment to district citizens, community groups, or employees for an educational, civic or charitable purpose when the Use of School Equipment Form has been completed and is approved, provided that:
A. The person/group borrowing the equipment agrees to accept responsibility for repairing or replacing any equipment damaged or lost while in its possession.
B. The equipment is neither unusually expensive nor subject to easy damage.
C. The equipment is in good condition.
D. The person/group will provide a competent operator for any machines loaned.
E. AFees representativefor must sign the Userental of School Equipment Form.equipment.
Motor vehicles, power equipment, tools, district computers, Internet technology and science/laboratory equipment may not be loaned.
Policy Adopted: September 1, 1967
Policy Amended: December 2, 1970, October 2, 1974, June 16, 1976, June 17, 1981, January 21, 1987, July 6, 1988, January 19, 1994, May 21, 1997, September 7, 2005 and January 20, 20102010, November 20, 2024