FILE: KF
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 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 $2,000,000 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 cover the cost of utilities, enhanced cleaning, inspections,
and other fees charged 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, prior to the use of the school board property. No
amounts pay shall be subject to refund.
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 and shall pay the
foregoing fees prior to such use.
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 cancel any previously-approved use or to refuse any request to use facilities which:
Concerns
any activities prohibited by state or federal law, governor proclamations,
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;
Is
scheduled without compliance with state, local or parish permit requirements;
or
Is considered in any way contrary to the best interests of the school system.
In the event of the cancelation of an event, all prepaid fees shall be returned to the applicant within fifteen (15) days.
Revised: September 15, 2016
Revised: February 15, 2018
Revised: August 6, 2020
Ref: Constitution of Louisiana, Art. VII, Sec.14
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. ยงยง14:91.7, 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, 8-6-20
Bossier Parish School Board