FILE: KG
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
The Board believes the functions of school buildings and grounds should be to accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting the educational, cultural, civic, social and recreational needs of the community.
Use of school buildings by the community shall be considered a secondary function and shall be scheduled at times that do not interfere with regular school activities.
The use of school facilities by non-commercial community groups shall be governed by a signed use agreement between the group and the Board. The use agreement shall contain, but is not limited to, the following:
A "hold harmless" statement having the effect of holding the Board free from any liability arising from the negligence of the party using the facilities.
A statement requiring, with limited exception, any group leasing the school facilities to purchase liability insurance identifying the Board and its members as additional insured. A certificate verifying the purchase of such insurance should be presented to the Board at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to use of the facilities.
A statement that the lessee shall assume all responsibility for damages and/or maintenance expenses invested in the building, directly or indirectly resulting from lessee’s use.
The Board shall direct the Superintendent to develop administrative rules and regulations governing the use of school facilities.
The Board owned or controlled facility will not be used in any manner, which is excluded from the Board’s liability insurance coverage.
"Limited open forum" high schools that allow student groups to meet on school premises during non instructional time may not discriminate against students’ use of high school facilities on the basis of the religious, political, philosophical or other content of the speech at the students’ meeting. Non- curriculum related student organizations shall have the same opportunity to use school facilities as any other student organization subject to the right and obligation of the Board to maintain order and discipline on school premises, to protect the
well being of students and faculty, and to assure students attending these meetings are doing so voluntarily.
The Superintendent and his/her staff shall develop rules and regulations for use of school facilities in keeping with this policy.
ADOPTED: August 13, 2002
LEGAL REF: Code of Alabama 16-11-9; 16-11-11 to -12; 16-12-3(a),(b);
Westside Community Board of Education v. Mergens, 58 U.S.L.W.
4720 (June 4, 1990)