The Wilkes County Board of Education endorses the goals of the Community Schools Act. The board will make specified indoor and outdoor school facilities available for use by eligible community groups under agreements developed in accordance with this policy. The board also will make some outdoor school facilities available for limited recreational use by the general public when not inconsistent with the board's use of the facilities. Any use of school facilities that disrupts school activities or that damages school property will not be permitted.
In accordance with G.S. 163-129, the county board of elections is entitled to use school facilities as a polling place on election days. School-sponsored groups and activities, such as school athletic events, school drama and choral productions, and meetings of student organizations, including organizations permitted to meet under the Equal Access Act, will otherwise have first priority in the use of school facilities.
Priority in the use of school facilities by other groups and the fee structure for such groups will be in accordance with law and the following user categories. Priority in use among groups within the same user category will not be based upon the viewpoints of the groups. All groups within the same user category will be charged for facility use according to the uniform fee structure.
Fees: Fees for use of kitchens will be charged, as applicable, to cover costs. Custodial or supervisory fees may be charged.
Fees: Custodial and utility fees may be charged.
Fees: Custodial and/or supervisory fees will be charged. Fees for use of kitchens will be charged, as applicable, to cover costs. Utility fees may be charged.
Fees: Rental, utility, and custodial and/or supervisory fees will be charged. The Board in its discretion may waive fees for these activities.
Fees: The Board of Education, in its discretion, may waive fees for the use of school facilities for these activities. Most, if not all, of the participants will be current or future students in the Wilkes County Schools, and these activities are an integral part of improving and enhancing physical and emotional health.
Prior to the beginning of each school year, the superintendent shall submit for board approval a fee structure that lists the amount or method of calculating rent and fees to be charged for facility use.
The superintendent shall develop regulations consistent with this policy. The regulations will include an application process and provisions regarding the supervision of groups using facilities, the care of facilities, prohibited conduct, and other issues deemed appropriate by the superintendent. The regulations will be made available to the public along with the facilities use application form. In addition to the regulations established by the superintendent, users of school facilities must comply with the following rules.
A user's violation of the provisions of this policy or any applicable regulations is grounds for suspending the user's privilege to use school facilities for a period of time deemed appropriate by the principal, subject to the review of the superintendent and the board of education.
A group that wishes to apply for permission to use a school facility must submit an application to the principal of the school at which the facility is located. If a facility use request is approved, the user will enter into a written agreement signed by the user and the superintendent or designee. Absent unusual circumstances, facility use agreements will not be granted for a term longer than one year.
Long-term leases are subject to the provisions of policy 9400, Sale, Disposal, and Lease of Board-Owned Real Property.
Users of school facilities are responsible for the conduct of all persons involved in the users' activities while on school property. Users are responsible for all damage to school facilities, property, or equipment that occurs while the facility is being used by the group, regardless of who caused the damage.
All user groups, except school-sponsored groups, must furnish a certificate of insurance for general liability coverage with a total limit coverage of $1,000,000 for each claim made. Alternatively, the superintendent or designee may require the user group to execute a waiver of liability that states that no liability will be attached to the board of education, individually or collectively, for personal injury or personal property damage by reason of use of the school property.
Outdoor property and facilities of the school system will be open to limited use by members of the general public in accordance with rules established by the superintendent or designee. Public use will be permitted only to the extent that it: 1) is not inconsistent with the proper preservation and care of the outdoor school property; 2) does not interfere with the safe and efficient operation of the schools and school activities; and 3) does not conflict with use by any community group operating under a facility use agreement described in this policy. The superintendent is authorized to establish all terms, conditions, and rules necessary to regulate the use of outdoor facilities by members of the general public consistent with these requirements.
Any person or organization may request a review of any decision made by a school employee pursuant to this policy in accordance with policy 1740/4010, Student and Parent Grievance Procedure.
Legal References: Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., 28 C.F.R. pt. 35; Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. 4071-4074, 28 C.F.R. pt. 36; Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. 7905, 34 C.F.R. pt. 108; 36 U.S.C. 20101 et seq.; G.S. 14-269.2; Community Schools Act, G.S. 115C-203 to -209.1; 115C-524, -527; 160A-274; 163-129
Cross References:
Adopted: January 9, 2006
Revised: March 15, 2010, October 3, 2011, September 3, 2024