FILE:  KG

Cf:  EB

USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Rapides 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.

The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in school facilities and on Rapides 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 buildings or grounds, buildings, portable buildings, field houses, stadiums, equipment storage areas, vacant land, or any other property owned, operated, or leased by the School Board.

The prohibitions mentioned above shall not apply to forested lands owned by the School Board where no buildings or improvements are constructed such as 16th Section swamp lands open to the public for recreational use unless students are present on a school sponsored or school related activity, in which case the prohibitions shall apply.

The usage of school facilities by individuals or groups shall be governed by a signed lease agreement between the individual or group and the School Board.  The lease agreement shall contain, at a minimum, the following:

1. A "hold harmless" statement having the effect of holding the Rapides Parish School Board, its members, and the school district free from any liability that may arise while the facilities are in use.
   
   

2. A statement requiring, with limited exception, as approved by the School Board, any person or group leasing the school facilities to purchase liability insurance identifying the School Board as an additional insured.  This policy shall provide at least $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit coverage.  A certificate verifying the purchase of such insurance should be presented to the School Board at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to use of the facilities.  The certificate of insurance shall include a specific ISO form (CG 20110196) naming as additional insured the School Board, its members, and employees.  This coverage must provide athletic coverage for any group using the facilities for athletic events.
   
   

3. 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.

The School Board reserves the right to refuse any request to use facilities which:

1. concerns any activities prohibited by statute and/or School Board policy;
   
   

2. is made by any person or organization which has failed to follow procedures developed by the Superintendent or designee; or,
   
   

3. is considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.

REGULATIONS

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 principal shall be responsible for assuring that access to and use of school facilities by any group or individual is within School Board guidelines.  Access to facilities shall be strictly monitored by designated school personnel during such usage.  Areas of any facility not intended for use shall be locked and properly safeguarded.
   
   

2. The use of any School Board-owned or operated facility shall be prohibited for the purpose of political activities or activities prohibited by state and/or School Board policies or considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.
   
   

3. The use of food service facilities by groups outside of the food service department and/or food service organization shall be in accordance with the regulations outlined in the School Board's Food Service Handbook.
   
   

4. In the event there is a problem with anyone in the community using school facilities, the decision on the use of the facilities shall be left to the discretion of the Superintendent and the respective school's School Board member.

USAGE FEES

All Rapides Parish School Board school related activities or activities that benefit schools or children that are sponsored by non-profit organizations shall be exempt from a utility usage fee, but are subject to any additional employee related costs to the School Board, resulting from the use of the facility.

All other groups using Rapides Parish School Board facilities may be charged a usage fee established by the Superintendent and/or his/her Facility Use Committee in addition to any employee costs that are incurred by the School Board, as a result of the use of the facility.  The principal shall collect and forward, along with the appropriate Certificate of Insurance and the executed Contract of Lease, 100% of the rental and employee cost fees for the use of the facility to the School Board.  The Superintendent and/or Central Office staff shall issue the school a check for 100% of the usage fee less any allocated employee cost including benefits paid through payroll.

Ref:    Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec.14

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, 40:1291.22

Board minutes, 9-11-87, 3-5-91, 8-5-93, 8-25-97, 9-2-97, 3-3-98, 2-19-02, 7-06-04, 7-5-11, 10-7-14, 3-6-18, 4-13-21

Rapides Parish School Board