Community Relations

Policy No. 4260

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

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:

(A) School or Child-related Groups include those organizations whose main purpose is to promote the welfare of boys and girls within the local community of the Blaine School District 503 or to provide members of the community access to government programs or opportunities for civic participation. Examples are: Scouts, Campfire, PTA, 4-H, city or county sponsored recreation 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 superintendent, shall be charged to recoup those costs.

(B) Nonprofit Groups or Other Government Agencies 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.  Weddings and memorial services shall be under the supervision of a licensed or certified director or person(s) approved by the facilities supervisor.  Facilities are available for these uses on weekends and after 5:30 PM on school days.  Caskets are not allowed.

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 Washington. Such fund-raisers must provide evidence that the charity will receive at least sixty (60) percent of the gross revenues received from the public prior to approval to use the facilities. Similar treatment may be granted public universities and colleges when offering college courses within the community or when any university/college is offering a course for staff at the request of the district. 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.

(C) 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 nonregular 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, Initiative No. 276                                                                                                                                                                                             School districts — Use of school facilities for presentation of programs — Legislature — Elections

 

 

Adoption Date: October 25, 2004

Blaine School District

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