FILE:  KF

 

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

 

 

The DeSoto Parish School Board recognizes the functions of school buildings and grounds shall be to accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting the educational, cultural, civic, social and recreational need of communities.  Use of school buildings by the community shall be considered a secondary function so as not to interfere with regular school-day programs of the students.  School buildings may be used by the public only in instances where there is no personal gain by any person or any group of persons.

 

The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in school facilities and on DeSoto Parish School Board property shall be prohibited at all times.

 

The use of any tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, or any smoking object/device, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, advanced personal vaporizers, vape pens, vape mods and similar devices, shall be prohibited on and in all School Board property and vehicles, and at all school-sponsored or school-approved functions.  However, this prohibition shall not be applicable to any tobacco product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product and which is marketed and sold solely for such purpose.  School Board property shall include any elementary or secondary school grounds or buildings, any portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any other property owned, operated, or leased by the School Board.

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

When the use of school facilities by the community is desired, the user must receive the approval from the school principal or building level administrator.  Before approval can be given, the user shall:

 

  1. Sign a Use of School Facilities Agreement form, which shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:

 

  1. Waiver of any and all rights of recovery from the School Board, its members, and the school district for any injuries or damages resulting from the use of school building facilities or grounds.  The person, organization, or group shall provide a certificate of insurance showing liability coverage for the event being held, with a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence.  The DeSoto Parish School Board, its members, and employees, shall be listed on the policy as additional named insureds.  A certificate verifying the purchase of such insurance should be presented to the school principal or building level administrator at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to use of the facilities.

  2. A statement that the individual or group lessee shall assume all responsibility for damages and/or maintenance expenses invested in the building, directly or indirectly resulting from lessee's use, including utilities and upkeep of the buildings and grounds.

  3. A statement that no school facilities shall be used for hazardous activities.

 

  1. In no way violate any law or ordinance in the use of the property.

  2. Provide security as determined by the school principal or building level administrator.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

The School Board shall direct the Superintendent to maintain appropriate administrative regulations and procedures governing the use of school facilities.  These regulations shall assure the following:

 

  1. The school principal or building level administrator shall be responsible for assuring that access to and use of school facilities by any group or individual is within School Board guidelines.  Use of facilities for other than school activities during school hours or when in conflict with school activities shall be prohibited except by special permission of the School Board.  Areas of any facility not intended for use shall be locked and properly safeguarded.

    The school principal or building level administrator shall designate a custodian to be scheduled to be on the premises from the beginning through clean-up time.  This custodian will be responsible for disarming/arming of any security system and the locking of exterior doors.  The custodian will assist with cleaning.  However, as stated in the agreement, the group using the building will be responsible for assuring that everything is clean and in order for classes.  If a custodian is not available for that particular day (or days), the building shall not be available for usage.

  2. Any decorating and/or set up needs to be done between the hours of 3:30 p. m. and 10:00 p.m. the day before a Saturday event.

  3. The facility cannot be reserved more than six (6) weeks in advance.  Needs may arise for educational purposes.  Also, the facility can only be used between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

  4. The user/group shall assign people to be responsible for monitoring participants and guests during the entire activity inside and outside the building.  This includes keeping people within the designated area.  Security must be provided for each use.  Arrangements for law enforcement personnel shall be the responsibility of the user/group.

  5. Fee:

    A deposit of $500.00 is required for the use of the facility.  A fee of $250.00 for the first four (4) hours is assessed for the use of the facility.  An additional fee of $25.00 per hour will cover any time over the allotted four (4) hour period.  The fee covers cost of utilities and cleanup.  Payment in the form of cashier’s check or money order is due at the time the reservation is made.  After clearance by school staff that the facility is in good condition, a refund of the balance of the deposit will be made.

  6. Food Service Area:

    If the Food Service area is requested, contact by the school principal or building level administrator shall be made with the Food Service Supervisor for a Food Service employee to be scheduled to be on the premises during the activity.  An additional fee of $100.00 for the first four (4) hours shall be assessed.  An additional fee of $25.00 per hour will cover any time over the allotted four (4) hour period.  This fee is in addition to the utilities and cleanup fee shown in item #5 above.

  7. The falsification of any information required or the failure to comply with all policies, regulations, and/or procedures shall result in the person, group, or organization being prohibited from using any school facility in the future.

  8. The School Board reserves the right, through the Superintendent, principal, or other designated person to cancel the use of any School Board-owned or operated facility at any time when deemed in the best interest of the school system.

 

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

 

Voting Precincts

 

Use of school buildings for voting or polling places shall be authorized by the School Board on the condition that election officials in charge on Election Day shall permit no loitering on the school premises.  The school principal or building level administrator shall determine where voting shall be held on school campuses.

 

Arrangements for opening and closing the facilities shall be made with the principal of the school involved and compensation shall be made to the appropriate individual.

 

Civil Defense

 

The Civil Defense director is authorized to use any and all necessary school facilities for emergency shelters or accommodations to help provide services to the public in the event of any declared emergency.

 

USE OF SCHOOL GROUNDS

 

The public shall be allowed to use school grounds (excluding buildings) for recreational or sport purposes only during daylight hours and only during the time when classes or other school or school-sponsored or approved activities are not being held.  No motor vehicles of any type, firearms or explosives or other dangerous weapons or alcoholic beverages shall be allowed on any school grounds.  All activities of a non-recreational or non-sports nature, such as political rallies, gatherings, or meetings shall usually be prohibited.

 

No supervisory personnel shall be provided during this time, and any person who uses the school grounds for the limited purposes set forth herein does so at his/her own risk.  The School Board shall assume no liability for any accident, injury, or loss suffered by any person using the school grounds under the permission herein granted.

 

The person, group, or organization shall provide the required certificate of insurance prior to the use of school grounds.

 

Approved:  August, 2004

Revised:  December 1, 2011

Revised:  February 1, 2018

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:91.7, 17:81, 17:240, 40:1291.1, 40:1291.2, 40:1291.3, 40:1291.11, 40:1291.21

Board minutes, 12-1-11, 2-1-18

 

DeSoto Parish School Board