Use of School Facilities

Policy No. 4260  

Community Relations  

Use of School Facilities  

The board subscribes to the belief that public schools are owned and operated by and for the  community. The public is encouraged to use school facilities, but will be expected to reimburse  the district for such use to ensure that funds intended for education are not used for other  purposes. On recommendation of the superintendent, the board will 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  will maintain insurance for accident and liability covering persons using the district’s facilities  under the sponsorship of the organization.  

The district does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age,  honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation including gender  expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability  or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides  equal access to Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.  

Community athletics programs that use district facilities will not discriminate against any person  on the basis of sex in the operation, conduct or administration of their programs. The district will  provide copies of the district’s nondiscrimination policy to all third parties using district  facilities.  

For rental rate purposes, organizations seeking the use of school facilities have been divided into  three categories:  

School or Child-Related Groups or Other Government Agencies  School or Child-related Groups or Other Government Agencies include those organizations  whose main purpose is to promote the welfare of students, 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 when the district incurs extra utility, cleaning or supervision costs, a fee, established by  the superintendent, will be charged to recoup those costs. Additionally, youth organizations  engaged in sports activities and using school facilities must provide a statement of compliance  with the policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports as required  by RCW 28A.600.  

Nonprofit Groups  

Nonprofit groups and organizations may 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. The district will charge a rental rate in excess of costs  incurred. 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

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Policy No. 4260  

Community Relations  

(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.  

Commercial Enterprises  

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 non-regular 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 will not be considered as  endorsement or approval of the activity, group or organization.  

Legal References: RCW 4.24.660 Liability of school districts under  contracts with youth programs  

RCW 28A.320.510 Night schools, summer schools,  

meetings, use of facilities for  

RCW 28A.335.150 Permitting use and rental of  

playgrounds, athletic fields, or  

athletic facilities  

RCW 28A.335.155 Use of buildings for youth programs —  Limited immunity  

20 USC Sec. 7905 Boys Scout of America Equal Access  

Act  

34 CFR Sec. 108.6 Equal Access to Public School Facilitie  For The Boy Scouts of America and  

Other Designated Youth Groups  

AGO 1973 No. 26, Initiative No. 276 School districts — Use of school  

facilities for presentation of  

programs — Legislature — Elections  

Management Resources:  

Policy News, December 2011 Changes in WSSDA’s Policy Reference  Manual

Policy News, August 2009 Concussion and Head Injuries  

Legislation  

School District Name: Montesano  

Revised: 12.00; 08.09; 12.11, 2012  

Classification: Essential

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