FILE: KF
Cf: EB
USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
The Bossier 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. It should be understood by those wishing to use any school facility, which in accordance with state law, said usage must be for a public purpose, which said usage shall not be gratuitous, and the School Board expects a reasonable value in exchange for use of said facilities.
The sale and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages in school facilities and on Bossier 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.
Use of Schools as Voting Precincts
The principals whose schools have been designated as voting precincts
shall determine where on the campus voting shall be held. When
the voting place is moved from its usual location for any reason,
the principal shall have suitable signs placed to direct voters to
the new place designated.
When elections occur on school days, all schools shall remain open
unless determined otherwise by the Superintendent. Otherwise,
arrangements for opening and closing of facilities shall be made with
the principal of the school.
Use of School Facilities by School Personnel Groups
Requests for use of school facilities by school personnel groups for
meetings shall be submitted to the Superintendent or designee for
approval. School faculty members may post on the bulletin board,
or other appropriate area, information relative to the operation of
their organization.
Use of Schools for Dances
Dances in which only students and faculties participate may be held
in the schools. Outside groups wishing to hold dances in the
school, shall, by written request, secure permission first from the
principal, and then from the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Use of School Building Facilities
The term school facilities as used herein shall mean
and include all school buildings, school grounds, or other buildings,
property, or equipment, or any part thereof, belonging to, in
the possession of, or operated by the school system.
Any person who is a resident of Bossier Parish may be permitted
to use school facilities for meetings, programs, or other activities
which are not prohibited by the laws of the State of Louisiana
or the United States of America, except as otherwise provided
below.
No person, group, or organization, or other similar entity, shall
be permitted to use school facilities for any meeting, program,
or other activity the primary purpose of which is the personal,
financial, or pecuniary benefit of such person.
No person shall be excluded from any meeting, program, or use because
of that person's race, color, creed, national origin, sex, religious
or political preference.
All applications for the single time use of school facilities,
in accordance with procedures set forth herein, shall be considered
for approval by the principal. Generally, the application
will be granted unless it is determined that the proposed use
of the facility by the applicant shall be detrimental to the orderly
operation of the school system. The principal shall
make a reasonable investigation of the application, person, club
or organization and purpose of the use of such facility and shall
notify the applicant in writing of his/her decision.
Any requests that involve the use of school facilities on a regular
recurring basis and over a long period of time shall be sent by
the principal to the School Board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee
for its consideration and approval.
No person, club, or organization granted permission to use
school facilities shall bring, or permit to be brought, into or
onto or about such school facility any alcoholic beverage, drug,
or weapon as defined by the laws of the State of Louisiana and/or
policies and regulations of the School Board.
The usage of school facilities by any person, group, or organization shall be based on a properly documented application and governed by a signed lease agreement between the person, group, or organization and the School Board. The lease agreement shall contain, but not be limited to, the following:
A statement that the person signing the application
has read and understands all policies, regulations, and procedures
relating to the use of school facilities and that such person,
group, or organization meets all requirements thereof necessary
to obtain permission to use such school facility, as well
as that the purpose of such use also complies with all of
such policies and requirements.
All persons attending the function or use of the school
facility requested shall also be required to obey all rules
and regulations of the School Board relating to school facilities,
and the person, group, or organization contracting for use
of facilities shall be responsible for the conduct of all
attendees.
The person, group, or organization shall agree to:
Be responsible for any and all damages of every
nature whatsoever to the school facility or the school
system resulting from its use by such person, group, or
organization.
The person, group, or organization shall see that the facility
used is left free of debris and in a reasonable, clean
condition.
Waive 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 insurance coverage
for the event being held, with a minimum of $1,000,000
general liability per occurrence. The Bossier
Parish School Board shall be listed on the policy as an
additional named insured, whenever possible. A
copy of the insurance policy or certificate verifying
the purchase of such insurance should be presented to
the School Board at least fifteen (15) days prior to use
of the facilities.
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.
The falsification of any information required or the failure to comply with all policies, regulations, and procedures shall result in the person, group, or organization being prohibited from using any school facility in the future.
Fees
Rental fees for the use of school facilities shall be approved
by the School Board. It should be noted that the School
Board cannot legally absorb any cost for use of its facilities
by persons, groups, or organizations not considered part of the
school, as this would be a donation of public funds which is prohibited
by the state constitution.
All fees, once calculated, shall be paid directly to the School
Board Office.
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. The
use of all tobacco products is prohibited on all School Board property. All
activities of a non-recreational or non-sports nature, such as political
rallies, gatherings, or meetings shall 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.
Use of Facilities by Movie Production Companies
Any requests that involve the use of school buildings and facilities
by movie production companies shall be reviewed by the Superintendent
for appropriate themes and subject matter, and sent to the School
Board’s Buildings and Grounds Committee for its consideration and
approval.
REFUSAL OF USE OF FACILITIES
The School Board reserves the right to refuse any request to use facilities which:
Concerns any activities prohibited by state and/or School Board
policies;
Is made by any persons or organizations which have failed to
follow procedures developed by the Superintendent or his/her designee;
or
Is considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.
Revised: September 15, 2016
Revised: February 15, 2018
Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec.14
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§14:91.7, 17:81, 17:240, 40:1291.2, 40:1291.3, 40:1291.11, 40:1291.21
Board of Directors of the Industrial Development Board of the City of Gonzales, LA., Inc. v. All Taxpayers, Property Owners, Citizens of the City of Gonzales, et. al, 2005-2298, 938 So. 2d 11 (La. 9/16/06)
Board minutes, 4-17-08, 7-08, 9-15-16, 2-15-18
Bossier Parish School Board