7510 - USE OF ESC FACILITIES

The Governing Board believes that school premises should be made available for community purposes, provided that such use does not infringe on the original and necessary purpose of the property or interfere with the educational program and services of the ESC and is harmonious with the purposes of this ESC.

For purposes of this policy, the terms “school premises” or “premises” refers to all indoor and outdoor structures, facilities, and land owned, rented, or leased by the Governing Board. The term “non-school hours” refers to times prior to and after regular classroom instruction on a day that school is in session, and any day that school is not in session, including weekends, holidays, and vacation breaks.

The Governing Board shall permit the use of school premises when such permission has been requested in writing by a responsible organization or a group of at least seven (7) citizens and has been approved by the Superintendent.

School premises shall be available for the below-listed uses. When there are competing interests, approval shall be given according to the following priorities:

1. uses directly related to the ESC and the operations of the ESC (including giving instructions in any branch of education, learning, or the arts); then
2. uses and groups indirectly related to the ESC; then
3. client school districts; then
4. other governmental agencies; and then
5. community organizations or groups of individuals primarily comprised of ESC residents/members of the community, including students (during non-school hours) and employees (when not working in the scope of their employment) formed or gathered for the following purposes, provided such meetings and/or entertainment is nonexclusive and open to the general public:
    
   1. charitable,
   2. civic,
   3. social,
   4. religious,
   5. recreational (e.g., indoor or outdoor games or physical activities, either organized or unorganized, that are undertaken for exercise, relaxation, diversion, sport, or pleasure), and/or
   6. educational.

School premises shall also be made available to any certified candidate for public office and any recognized political party or organization for the purpose of conducting public discussions of public questions and issues. School premises shall be free of charge and available only during non-school hours. Users shall abide by all ESC policies and rules regarding the use of school premises and be liable for any damage incurred. Under no circumstances shall school premises be used to raise funds for political purposes.

No liability shall attach to this ESC, or any of its employees and officers, specifically as a consequence of permitting access to school premises.

© Neola 2015