FILE: E-1.6
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
The Central Community 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.
The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in school facilities and on Central Community 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 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.
Use of Schools as Voting Precincts
The principals whose schools have been designated as voting precincts
shall determine where on the campus voting shall be held. When
the voting place is moved from its usual location for any reason,
the principal shall have suitable signs placed to direct voters to
the new place designated.
When elections occur on school days, all schools shall remain open
unless determined otherwise by the Superintendent. Otherwise,
arrangements for opening and closing of facilities shall be made with
the principal of the school.
Use of School Facilities by School Personnel Groups
Requests for use of school facilities by school personnel groups for
meetings shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee for
approval. School faculty members may post on the bulletin board,
or other appropriate area, information relative to the operation of
their organization.
Use of Schools for Dances
Dances in which only students and faculties participate may be held
in the schools. Outside groups wishing to hold dances in the
school, shall, by written request, secure permission first from the
principal, and then from the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Use of School Building Facilities
The term school facilities as used herein shall mean
and include all school buildings, school grounds, or other buildings,
property, or equipment, or any part thereof, belonging to, in
the possession of, or operated by the school system.
The term person as used herein shall mean and include the
terms person, group, firm, association, corporation, organization,
and all other similar terms.
Any person who is a resident of the community of Central
may be permitted to use school facilities for meetings, programs,
or other activities which are not prohibited by the laws of the
State of Louisiana or the United States of America, except as
otherwise provided below.
No person shall be permitted to use school facilities for any meeting,
program, or other activity the primary purpose of which is the
personal, financial, or pecuniary benefit of such person.
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.
All applications for the use of school facilities procedures
set forth herein shall be considered for approval by the principal,
subject to final written approval of the Superintendent or his/her
designee. Generally, the application will be granted unless
it is determined that the proposed use of the facility by the
applicant shall be detrimental to the orderly operation of the
school system. The Principal shall make a reasonable
investigation of the application, person, club or organization
and purpose of the use of such facility and shall notify the applicant
in writing of his/her decision.
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.
The usage of school facilities by any person, group, or organization shall be based on a properly documented application and governed by a signed lease agreement between the person, group, or organization and the School Board. The lease agreement shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:
A statement that the person signing the application
has read and understands all policies, regulations, and procedures
relating to the use of school facilities and that such person,
club, or organization meets all requirements thereof necessary
to obtain permission to use such school facility, as well
as that the purpose of such use also complies with all of
such policies and requirements.
All persons attending the function or use of the school
facility requested shall also be required to obey all rules
and regulations of the School Board relating to school facilities,
and the person, group, or organization shall be responsible
for the conduct of all such persons.
The person, group, or organization shall agree to:
Be responsible for any and all damages
of every nature whatsoever to the school facility or the school system
resulting from its use by such person, group, or organization.
The person, group, or organization shall see that the facility used is
left free of debris and in a reasonable, clean condition.
Waive 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 insurance coverage
for the event being held, with a minimum of $500,000 general
liability per occurrence, with higher limits when deemed
appropriate by the Superintendent. The Central
Community School Board shall be listed on the policy as
an additional named insured. A certificate
verifying the purchase of such insurance should be presented
to the School Board at least twenty-four (24) hours prior
to use of the facilities.
The falsification of any information required or the failure to comply with all policies, regulations, and procedures shall result in the person, group, or organization being prohibited from using any school facility in the future.
Fees
Rental fees for the use of school facilities shall be approved
by the School Board. It should be noted that the School
Board cannot legally absorb any cost or waive any fees for use
of its facilities by persons, groups, or organizations not considered
part of the school, as this would be a donation of public funds
which is prohibited by the state constitution.
All fees, once calculated, shall be paid directly to the School
Board.
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. All
activities of a non-recreational or non-sports nature, such as political
rallies, gatherings, or meetings shall 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.
The School Board reserves the right to refuse any request to use facilities which:
Concerns any activities prohibited by state and/or School Board
policies;
Is made by any persons or organizations which have failed to
follow procedures developed by the Superintendent or his/her designee;
or
Is considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.
Revised: July 30, 2018
Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec.14
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง17:81, 17:240, 40:1291.1, 40:1291.2, 40:1291.3, 40:1291.11, 40:1291.21
Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Gonzales, LA., Inc. v. All Taxpayers, Property Owners, Citizens of the City of Gonzales, et. al, 2005-2298, 938 So. 2d 11 (La. 9/16/06)
Board minutes, 7-30-18
Central Community School Board