All local, civic, religious, fraternal, patriotic and community welfare organizations, including any individuals or groups interested in promoting cultural, educational or recreational activities are eligible to use the auditoriums, gymnasiums, classrooms, and other school properties, providing the activities conducted or to be conducted are not contrary to public interest as determined by the Board of Directors or its representatives, or as provided by law.
School buildings are community buildings, and every effort will be made to cooperate with local community groups and/or families for the use of school facilities for educational or recreational purposes whenever such use does not conflict with the school's program. Custodial service will be provided for the care of school buildings during the period of use. Entities that use school district buildings, or equipment, or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use. Inappropriate use of school district facilities and equipment may result in additional fees charged to, or the inability of, the entity to use school district facilities or equipment in the future
All requests for the use of facilities by an outside organization wishing to use the buildings after school hours are to be made through the business office. A school official designated by the Superintendent will clear all requests with the office of the principal in the building concerned. It is the responsibility of the designated school official to determine whether the school district facility or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets board policy, administrative regulations and Iowa Code requirements. It is the responsibility of the designated official to provide application forms and draw up the contract for use of school district facilities and equipment. Groups renting facilities may be required to provide proof of insurance.
The Board cannot legally use money collected from taxes for school purposes to support programs of community groups however worthy their programs may be. Consequently, while the building may be furnished, operating costs must be borne by the group that chooses to use the school. A schedule of minimum costs for the use of facilities will be reviewed every five years. The Board directs the Superintendent to prepare a schedule of fees for the use of school facilities. This schedule shall be presented to the Board for their final approval.
Fee schedules may be adjusted according to the hours and the service needed. A copy of the current fee schedule is found in Regulation 905.1R1.
The general policies governing the scheduling and use of school facilities will apply on requests for Sunday use, if such use is approved; however, Sunday use of school facilities for public purpose will generally be discouraged. Building administrators may exercise judgment as to the use of school recreational facilities for Sunday use by students and parents. Availability of adequate supervisory personnel, the nature of the activity, and the physical well-being of the facilities shall be among those things considered in the administrator's judgment.
Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 8D; 123.46; 276; 278.1(4); 279.8; 297.9-.11 (2013).
1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 561.
1940 Op. Att'y Gen. 232.
1936 Op. Att'y Gen. 196.
Approved:
February 9, 1976
Reviewed:
September 19, 2011
Revised:
June 9, 1980
July 13, 1981
June 10, 1985
March 13, 1995
January 12, 1998
October 9, 2000
November 11, 2002
October 10, 2016
