Colchester, Connecticut

Copy of 1330 Use of School Facilities

Board of Education Regular Meeting 6:00 PM

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Book                          Policy Manual

Section                       0000/1000 - Community/Board Operations

Title                         Use of School Facilities

Code                          1330

Status                        Active

Adopted                       August 17, 2020

Last Revised                  November 9, 2021




                                               USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

    A. Application Procedures

         In accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-239, the Board of Education may permit the use of any school
         facility for nonprofit educational or community purposes whether or not school is in session. The Board of
         Education may also grant the temporary use of any school facility for public, educational or other
         purposes, including the holding of political discussion, at such time the facility is not in use for school
         purposes. In addition, the Board shall grant such use for any purpose of voting under the provisions of
         Title 9 of the Connecticut General Statutes whether or not school is in session. In accordance with 20
         U.S.C. § 7905, the Board of Education shall not deny equal access to or a fair opportunity to meet, or
         otherwise discriminate, against any group officially affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America (or any other
         youth group listed as a patriotic society in Title 36 of the United States Code) that wishes to conduct a
         meeting using school facilities pursuant to this policy. Such uses shall be governed by the following rules
         and procedures, and shall be subject to such restrictions as the Superintendent or his/her designee
         considers expedient.

         Consistent with this policy, the Superintendent shall develop and promulgate Administrative Regulations
         and associated forms governing use of school buildings and facilities by community and other groups.
         Since the primary purpose of school facilities is for educational activities, such activities will have priority
         over all other requested uses. The Superintendent may limit or restrict the use of school facilities by
         community and other groups based on the guidance of federal, state, and local health authorities and
         consistent with applicable law.

         Applications for use of facilities shall be submitted to the following individuals, in accordance with the
         Administrative Regulations:

                   Facility                                          Application Submitted To


                   For use of school buildings                       Building Principal

                   For use of athletic fields and facilities         Athletic Director


                   For use of other school facilities                Superintendent of Schools
  Groups requesting use of school buildings and facilities must identify the specific facilities desired, and
  approval will be for those specific facilities only. All school equipment on the premises shall remain in the
  charge and control of the building principal or responsible administrator, and shall not be used without the
  express written permission of the administrator.

  Principals and other responsible administrators shall submit copies of each building use form with a
  notation of whether such uses have been approved. Approval of school facilities by the principal or other
  responsible party may be revoked at any time by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

B. Eligible Organizations and Priority of Use

  Administrators responsible for approving/disapproving requests for use of school district facilities will use
  the following guidelines regarding priority of usage of such facilities:

  Order of priority:

      1. School-sponsored programs and activities.

      2. Activities of school-related organizations (e.g. PTO, Booster Clubs, After Graduation Committees and
         similar organizations).

      3. Town department or agency activities.

      4. Activities of non-profit organizations operating within the Town, other than school-related
         organizations covered by category #2 above.

      5. Activities of for-profit organizations operating within the Town.

      6. Out-of-town organizations.

C. Restrictions on Use of School Facilities

  The following restrictions shall apply to the use of school facilities:

      1. Illegal activities will not be tolerated.

      2. Use or possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or unauthorized controlled substances shall not be
         permitted on school property.

      3. Refreshments may not be prepared, served or consumed without the prior approval of the
         responsible administrator. Notwithstanding, only those beverages permitted by state law may be
         sold during the school day. The responsible administrator may permit other beverages to be sold at
         the location of events occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend as long
         as they are not sold from a vending machine or at a school store. Upon approval by the
         administrator, refreshments may be prepared, served and consumed only in areas designated by the
         responsible administrator.

      4. Obscene advertising, decorations or materials shall not be permitted on school property.

      5. Advertising, decorations or other materials that promote the use of illegal drugs, tobacco products,
         or alcoholic beverages shall not be permitted.

      6. Activities that are disruptive of the school environment are not permitted.

  Any violation of this Policy or any applicable Administrative Regulations may result in permanent
  revocation of the privilege to use school facilities against the organization and/or individuals involved.

D. Fees and Other Costs

  Users of school facilities shall be responsible for the fees and costs set out in a fee schedule established by
  the Superintendent with the approval of the Board of Education. The following guidelines shall be
  incorporated into such fee schedule:
              Category


              Fee

            1. School-sponsored programs and activities.

              No rental fee or associated costs.

            2. Activities of school-related organizations (e.g. PTO, Booster Clubs, After Graduation Committees and
               similar organizations).

              No rental fee or associated costs.

            3. Town department or agency activities.

              Associated costs.

            4. Activities of non-profit organizations operating within the Town, other than school-related
               organizations covered by category #2 above.

              Associated costs.

            5. Activities of for-profit organizations operating within the Town.

              Rental fee and associated costs.

            6. Out-of-town organizations.

              Rental fee and associated costs.

              “Associated costs” shall include, but shall not be limited to, fees for the services of any custodial
              personnel, food service personnel, security personnel or other personnel deemed by the responsible
              administrator to be necessary in connection with the use of a school district facility. Such costs shall
              be at the rates set forth in the fee schedule.

              Rental fees and/or associated costs otherwise applicable may be waived by the Superintendent or
              his/her designee if such waiver is deemed by the Superintendent or his/her designee to be in the
              best interest of the school system and/or the Town.

   E. Responsibility for Damage to Property or Loss of Property

        In order to use school district facilities, any organization or individual requesting such use must agree to
        assume responsibility for any damage to and/or theft or loss of any school district property arising out of
        the use of the facilities.

    F. Health and Safety Protocols

        In order to use school district facilities, any organization or individual requesting such use must agree to
        abide by all health and safety protocols in place by the school district at the time of use, including but not
        limited to protocols relating to cleaning of the facilities, signage, and health screenings of individuals
        requesting access to the facilities.


Legal                      Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-15c Discrimination in public schools prohibited. School
                           attendance by five-year-olds.
                           Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-239 Use of school facilities for other purposes.
                           Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-215f Certification that food meets nutrition standards.
                           Conn. Gen. Stat. §10-221q Sale of beverages.

                           Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. § 7905 Patriotic and National
                           Organizations, 36 U.S.C § 10101 et seq.
                       “Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together,”
                       Connecticut State Department of Education (June 29, 2020)


     Facilities Use Forms.pdf (280 KB)




Recommend replace with Shipment Model Policy