FILE:  KF

Cf:  KFA, KG

 

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

 

 

The Bogalusa City School Board recognizes the functions of school buildings and grounds shall be to accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting the educational, cultural, civic, social and recreational need of communities.  Use of school buildings by the community shall be considered a secondary function so as not to interfere with regular school-day programs of the students.  School buildings may be used by the public only in instances where there is no personal gain by any person or any group of persons.

 

The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in school facilities and on Bogalusa City School Board property shall be prohibited at all times.  The use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all Bogalusa City School Board property and vehicles, and at all school-sponsored or school-approved functions.  However, this prohibition shall not be applicable to any tobacco product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and which is marketed and sold solely for such purpose.  School Board property shall include any elementary or secondary school grounds or buildings, any portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any other property owned, operated, or leased by the School Board.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

When the use of school facilities by the community is desired, the user must receive the approval from the school principal or building level administrator.  Before approval can be given, the user shall:

 

  1. Sign and submit to school officials at least ten (10) days prior to anticipated date of usage a Use of School Facilities Agreement form, which shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

 

  1. Waiver of any and all rights of recovery from the School Board, its members, and the school district for any injuries or damages resulting from the use of school building facilities or grounds.  The person, organization, or group shall provide a certificate of insurance showing liability coverage for the event being held, with a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence.  The Bogalusa City School Board, its members, and employees, shall be listed on the policy as additional named insureds.  A certificate verifying the purchase of such insurance shall be presented to the school principal or building level administrator at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to use of the facilities.

  2. A statement that the individual or group lessee shall assume ALL responsibility for damages and/or maintenance expenses invested in the building, directly or indirectly resulting from lessee's use, including utilities and upkeep of the buildings and grounds.

  3. A statement that no school facilities shall be used for hazardous activities.

  4. A copy of IRS certification or other form of verification document establishing non-profit status.  (Required for consideration)

 

  1. In no way violate any law or ordinance in the use of the property.

  2. Provide security as determined by the school principal or building level administrator.

  3. Pay a damage deposit as set by the School Board.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

The School Board shall direct the Superintendent to maintain appropriate administrative regulations and procedures governing the use of school facilities.  These regulations shall assure the following:

 

  1. The school principal or building level administrator shall be responsible for assuring that access to and use of school facilities by any group or individual is within School Board guidelines.  Use of facilities for other than school activities during school hours or when in conflict with school activities shall be prohibited except by special permission of the School Board.  Areas of any facility not intended for use shall be locked and properly safeguarded.

    The school principal or building level administrator shall designate a custodian to be scheduled to be on the premises from the beginning through clean-up time.  This custodian will be responsible for disarming/arming of any security system and the locking of exterior doors.  The custodian will assist with cleaning.  However, as stated in the agreement, the group using the building will be responsible for assuring that everything is clean and in order for classes.  If a custodian is not available for that particular day (or days), the building shall not be available for usage.

  2. The use of any School Board-owned or operated facility shall be prohibited for the purpose of political activities or activities prohibited by state and/or School Board policies or considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.

  3. The use of food service facilities by groups outside of the food service department and/or food service organization shall be in accordance with the regulations outlined by the Superintendent and staff.

  4. No person, club, or organization granted permission to use school facilities shall bring, or permit to be brought, into or onto or about such school facility any alcoholic beverage, drug, or weapon as defined by the laws of the State of Louisiana and/or policies and regulations of the School Board.

    No person shall be excluded from any meeting, program, or use because of that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religious or political preference.

  5. The falsification of any information required or the failure to comply with all policies, regulations, and/or procedures shall result in the person, group, or organization being prohibited from using any school facility in the future.

  6. The School Board reserves the right, through the Superintendent, principal, or other designated person to cancel the use of any School Board-owned or operated facility at any time when deemed in the best interest of the school system.

  7. Fees charged for facility use shall be in accordance with the schedule of fees approved by the School Board.

  8. If the services of law enforcement, security personnel, and/or fire personnel are required, the organization shall be responsible for making the necessary arrangements for such services and shall fully apprise the principal or building level administrator prior to usage.

  9. No hoofed animals shall be permitted on the athletic fields and/or any other area specified by the principal.

 

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

 

Voting Precincts

 

Use of school buildings for voting or polling places shall be authorized by the School Board on the condition that election officials in charge on Election Day shall permit no loitering on the school premises.  The principal or building level administrator shall determine where voting shall be held on school campuses.

 

Arrangements for opening and closing the facilities shall be made with the principal of the school involved and compensation shall be made to the appropriate individual.

 

Civil Defense

 

The Civil Defense director is authorized to use any and all necessary school facilities for emergency shelters or accommodations to help provide services to the public in the event of any declared emergency.

 

USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS

 

The public shall be allowed to use school grounds (excluding buildings) for recreational or sport purposes only during daylight hours and only during the time when classes or other school or school-sponsored or approved activities are not being held.  No motor vehicles of any type, firearms or explosives or other dangerous weapons or alcoholic beverages shall be allowed on any school grounds.  Tobacco use is prohibited on all school grounds.  All activities of a non-recreational or non-sports nature, such as political rallies, gatherings, or meetings shall usually be prohibited.

 

No supervisory personnel shall be provided during this time, and any person who uses the school grounds for the limited purposes set forth herein does so at his/her own risk.  The School Board shall assume no liability for any accident, injury, or loss suffered by any person using the school grounds under the permission herein granted.

 

The person, group, or organization shall provide the required certificate of insurance prior to the use of school grounds.

 

Revised:  May, 2011

Revised:  November 16, 2017

 

 

Ref:    Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec. 14

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:91.7, 17:81, 17:240

Board minutes, 6-28-11, 11-16-17

 

Bogalusa City School Board