Policy 4260

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 will set the facility rental fee schedule.  Facilities are only available for use to residents of the La Center School District.

The superintendent is authorized to establish procedures for use of school facilities, including rental rates, supervisory requirements, safety 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.

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:

Level 1:  Local youth groups, school affiliated groups, community sports and recreation groups, district employee groups, or local government agencies -including those organizations whose main purpose is to promote the welfare of boys and girls. or to provide members of the community access to government programs or opportunities for civic participation. Examples are: Scouts, Campfire, PTO, 4-H, city or county sponsored recreation groups, polling places.  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.

Additionally, youth sports organizations 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.

Level 2:  Nonprofit Groups- including church groups, service clubs, fraternal organizations/clubs, non-profit youth or adult groups, government agencies and community colleges.  Those organizations which might wish to use school facilities for lectures, promotional activities, rallies, political caucuses, entertainment, college courses, or other activities for which public halls or commercial facilities generally are rented or owned. 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.   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.

Level 3:  Private, Commercial or Fundraising Enterprises– Professional fundraisers representing charities must provide evidence that they are registered and bonded by the state of Washington. Such fundraisers 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. 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 shall not be considered as endorsement of or approval of the activity group or organization nor for the purposes it represents.

Cross References:  
Policy 3422 Student Sports – Concussion and Head Injuries

Legal References:
RCW 28A.230.180 Access to campus and student information directories by official recruiting representatives – informing studnents of educational and career opportunities
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 play-grounds, athletic fields, or athletic facilities
RCW 28A.335.155 Use of buildings for youth programs — Limited immunity
20 USC Sec. 7905 Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act
34 CFR Sec.108.6 Equal Access to Public School Facilities 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:
2014 – February Issue
2013 – July Issue
2013 – June Issue
2011 December Issue
2009 August Issue

 

La Center School District Adopted: December 12th , 2006; Revised October 27th, 2009, December 13th, 2016