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P1330
ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY COMMUNITY RELATIONS Since the schools belong to the people of the school district, and since the plant facilities are established, maintained, and operated by funds provided by local taxes, the Board of Education accepts the responsibility for making its plant facilities available to responsible organizations, associations, and individuals of the community for appropriate civic, cultural, welfare, or recreational activities which do not infringe upon nor interfere with the conduct and best interests of the school system. More specifically, it is the board's intention to grant the use of school facilities under the superintendent's regulations and administrative guidelines for activities of an educational, cultural, civic, social, recreational, governmental, and general political nature which are to be sponsored by responsible, organized local persons, organizations, agencies, or institutions. Student religious groups shall have the same right of access to a secondary school facility as other comparable non-curriculum related student groups requesting access to the same facility. Such groups must also be allowed the same access to the use of school media as other non-curriculum related student groups at the school, and on the same terms. The school may, however, inform students that the group is not school sponsored. This policy applies to groups meeting at lunch time, or other non-instructional time, as well as before or after school. All individuals or organizations who use school property shall be jointly and severally liable for any injury or damages thereto which arise from such use. The individual or organization shall agree to be responsible for the supervision of the activity and the conduct of persons present and to indemnify and hold harmless the Board of Education and its employees from and against any and all losses, claims, demands, and liabilities which arise in connection with the use of the premises. Types of Activities Prohibited 1. Any activity that may violate the canons of good morals, manners or taste or be injurious to the buildings, grounds, or equipment. 2. Any purpose in conflict with school activities. 3. Fund-raising campaigns except as permitted by board of education policy or special action of the board. 4. Activities which are discriminatory in the legal sense. The superintendent or designee is authorized to approve and arrange for scheduling the use of school facilities by applicants satisfying the above purposes and limitations. The superintendent shall keep the board informed of the scheduling and commitment policies. Rental Rates Rental rates shall be established by the Board of Education and reviewed from time to time. Emergency Use The board in its commitment to the support of the disaster plan of St. Louis City authorizes the use of school district facilities as disaster assembly locations in the event of disaster or civil disturbance beyond the control of the St. Louis Police Department. Lending of School-Owned Equipment The board believes that district-owned equipment is a valuable resource which may be loaned under certain conditions provided that such use does not interfere with the education program of the schools. The board may lend specific items of equipment on the written request of the user and approval granted by the superintendent or designee. The user of district-owned equipment shall be fully liable for any damage, loss, or costs incurred during the period of its use. The use, possession, distribution or sale of alcohol or drugs including inhalants, intoxicants of any kind (whether or not the primary intended purpose of the intoxicant is intoxication), controlled substances or imitations of any of these is prohibited on school property. School property includes but is not limited to school buildings, administrative buildings, playgrounds and parking lots. The use, possession, distribution or sale of drug-related paraphernalia is also prohibited. The use of tobacco is prohibited in all indoor facilities. Nor shall tobacco be distributed or sold on school property or used in the presence of students.
cf: P1251 and R1251 Loitering or Causing Disturbance Legal: Sections 177.031, 171.096 RSMo.
Revised: July 9, 1996 Revised: February 9, 1999 Revised: September 10, 2002 R1330 ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULATION COMMUNITY RELATIONS The Board of Education may permit individuals or organizations to use public school property for public discussions, meetings, and other civic, social, or educational purposes, provided that such activities do not interfere with the primary operations of the St. Louis Public Schools. Religious groups shall have the same right of access to public school property as other comparable non-curriculum related groups requesting access to the same facility. The board may deny a request from any group when it determines that the proposed use of public school property is unlawful or not in the best interest of the St. Louis Public Schools. The Board of Education shall not approve the use of public school property by: 1. Any individual or organization to conduct a performance, exhibit, entertainment, or any similar function given for private or commercial interest. 2. Any individual or organization to display or discharge fireworks, to operate rides on movable equipment, or to conduct activities which may cause damage to school properties or facilities. 3. A minor. 4. Any individual or organization for political meetings, speeches or debates, union meetings or elections, except union meetings or elections affiliated with Board of Education employees. 5. Any individual or organization to conduct any fundraising activity which involves the sale of tickets or collection of money as an admission fee to any function held on school premises, except when the function is for the immediate aid of the school. a. This restriction shall not prevent school-affiliated groups, societies, or associations from requiring admission fees or dues from their members to defray their expenses or from receiving contributions for the same purpose. 6. Any individual or organization to conduct any activity for an unreasonably small group of people. If the attendance results in an unusually low number of participants for successive meetings or activities, a permit may be revoked. 7. Any individual or organization for successive use of a specific school area which is normally used in a regular school program, when such proposed use necessitates removal of furniture and equipment used in the regular day school program to accommodate the proposed use. Since the school buildings and grounds are public property, they shall be made available to the public as freely as is consistent with the laws of the State of Missouri governing public schools, with the policies of the Board of Education, and with the primary uses for which the schools were erected and are maintained. In granting the community use of school property, the Board of Education shall, at no time, surrender its control of such property. The public school buildings may be opened after regular school hours to individuals or organizations for such purposes as have a distinct educational value or will serve to benefit the community. The question of whether a proposed use meets these criteria shall be determined by the superintendent of schools or designee. Applications for the use of school premises (permits) are granted with the understanding that the Board of Education reserves first claim on all school property. All applications for the use of school premises must be made on the authorized form to the principal or administrator in charge of the school. No meeting, performance, or activity shall be scheduled on school premises without the knowledge and approval of the building principal or administrator in charge. All applicants must first discuss the use of the school facilities with the principal or administrator in charge before organizing any meeting or activity. All applications, after approval by the principal or administrator in charge, must be approved by the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management and received in his or her office at least seven working days before the first date for which the facility is requested. Application forms may be obtained from the principal or administrator in charge and must be completed and returned to the principal or administrator in charge for his or her signature of approval. The signature certifies that the space is available, that he or she has investigated the conditions outlined in the application and recommends approval. All applications for the use of high school field houses, athletic fields, and gymnasiums shall, after approval of the principal and assistant superintendent of schools, be sent to the department of school security and safety for approval. That office shall promptly forward the applications to the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management for final approval and processing. Notice of the cancellation of permits must be received by the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management at least seven working days in advance of the meeting to be cancelled. If the organization wishing to cancel a permit fails to submit proper notification within that time, the organization may be denied the future use of the building. The responsibility for the issuance and cancellation of permits, and any charges thereof, shall be vested in the superintendent of schools or designee, and the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. The board may cancel permits whenever necessary, with or without due notice. Responsibility of Applicant Time of Activities Meetings or activities to be held after regular daytime school closing hours may generally begin not earlier than 7:00 p.m. and shall end before 10:00 p.m., unless special permission is granted. The building shall be opened fifteen minutes before the time indicated on the permit. The meeting or activity shall end in sufficient time before the closing hour indicated on the permit to assure that all occupants are out of the building by the expiration time. The 10:00 p.m. closing time will allow the custodian fifteen minutes to close down the building. 1. School organizations sponsoring dances or other activities may, with the approval of the principal, use the school until 11 p.m. Similarly, scheduled athletic activities may, with the approval of the principal, extend to 11 p.m. 2. When special circumstances develop that prevent an applicant from a scheduled activity at 10 p.m., the applicant must inform the custodian that an additional amount of time (not to exceed 30 minutes) is requested. The custodian shall furnish the applicant an overtime slip showing the exact amount of overtime used. The applicant must sign the overtime slip. In community education centers the custodian will work until 11:00 p.m., thus allowing him/her one hour to perform assigned cleaning duties and close down the building after all activities have ceased. a. In the case of community school activities which may occasionally extend beyond 10:00 p.m., the applicant must inform the custodian, and the community school custodian shall perform his/her assigned cleaning duties and close down the building in one hour following the termination of such extended activities. The "overtime slip" must be signed by the community school coordinator at the location involved. b. The principal will determine whether or not a custodian is needed to open and/or close the facility on weekends in situations where the facility does not have a boiler. During the heating season, Community Education Centers that have boilers will require the presence of a custodian to open and close the building. The principal or designee must be present to provide appropriate supervision. The principal is not to give keys to the facility to anyone other than a Board of Education employee assigned to be present at the facility on the weekend. A person who is not a Board of Education employee cannot be given keys. The principal is accountable for the proper cleaning and security of the building when the custodian is not present. Frequency of Use The number of nights that each school may be used a week without charges depends on the following factors: 1. The number of custodians assigned to the school. 2. The money available to pay for after-school activities. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the superintendent of schools and the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management will list the regulations under which the schools may be opened without charge during that fiscal year. The regulations will be published in the "Agenda for Action," which is distributed to all schools. The regulations will list the number of evenings a week that the schools may be opened without charge, but will also indicate the amount paid for those events in which there is a charge. It will also indicate the current charge which will be made to cover the salary of the custodian and the cost of utilities for those events for which a charge will be made. a. Elementary Schools -- The number of nights that each elementary school may be used per week without charges is dependent on the following factors: 1. The number of custodians assigned to the school. 2. The funds available to pay for after-school activities. b. Secondary Schools -- The regulations relative to the use of elementary school buildings shall apply generally to the use of high school buildings except that the superintendent of schools and the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management may make such allowances and exceptions as are necessary for feasible operations in the separate schools. Charges for Use When charges are to be made to a group not affiliated with the school for the use of a school facility, the amount charged shall be paid in advance, upon receipt of a billing statement. In all such instances, the fiscal control officer shall prepare the billing statement at the request of the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. Checks are to be made payable to the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis and submitted with a copy of the statement to the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. Failure to pay charges shall result in the denial of the permit. Serving Refreshments Permission to serve light refreshments without charges will be granted to applicants who are eligible to use school facilities. The application must state the items to be served. Permission to sell light refreshments will be granted to organizations affiliated with the school after the principal has verified the following: 1. Proceeds from the sales will be used to defray the costs of the refreshments. 2. Any balance is to be used for the benefit of the organization. The application must state the different items to be sold and the amount to be charged for each item. A statement explaining the reason for selling refreshments must also be included in the application. Use of Cafeterias The use of school cafeterias will be afforded to groups or organizations only upon approval of the director of food and nutrition services and when the application is endorsed by the school principal. The director of food and nutrition services may require the applicant to retain the cafeteria manager when circumstances so warrant. Charges for services and salaries shall be determined by the director of food and nutrition services and must be acceptable to the applicant. Gymnasium Facilities Elementary school gymnasiums and play rooms may be used by outside groups and organizations in a manner consistent with these regulations when approved by the principal of the school. Activities shall not extend beyond 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise provided for by permission of the principal. The permit does not include permission to use apparatus or other special equipment belonging to the school. Athletic Fields Permission to use tennis courts, baseball grounds, and the athletic fields of high schools may be granted to organizations during the regular school year whenever such use will not interfere with the needs of school groups or organizations, subject to the following restrictions: 1. The athletic fields at Soldan High School, Gateway Institute of Technology, and Southwest High School may be used on a rental basis only. Charges will be determined by the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. 2. Permits may be granted for the use of other athletic fields in accordance with the policy for use of the public school premises. The use of an athletic facility is also subject to R1330.2.1. Swimming Pools Use of high school swimming pools shall not be granted to any non-school organization except the division of recreation of the City of St. Louis as defined in the reciprocal agreement between the City of St. Louis, the Board of Education, and the American Red Cross. No permit will be granted to any school-affiliated group or organization for the use of any swimming pool in the St. Louis Public Schools until satisfactory proof is provided that a licensed lifeguard will be present. All applications for the use of a swimming pool shall contain the following certification: "I hereby agree to have a licensed lifeguard present at poolside at all times when the swimming pool is being used pursuant to this application." This certification shall be signed by the adult person in charge. Parking on School Grounds Permits for parking of cars in school yards will not be issued for periods when school is in session unless the parking area is separated from the play yards by a fence, and students do not pass through the parking area. Permits for parking in school yards will be granted only where the paved surfaces will not be damaged by such activities, and then only by special permission of the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. Use of School Property When School is Not in Session 1. Permits on Holidays Buildings will be closed on national and school holidays. Permits granted for a series of meetings covering either the entire school year or only a portion of it falling on such days, shall be automatically cancelled for these days only. 2. Permits During Summer Period Permits may be granted during the summer period for the use of school buildings and premises, as long as the application is approved by the assistant superintendent of schools and the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management. 3. St. Louis Public High School League Member schools in the St. Louis Public High School League may hold practice sessions during holiday periods. Schools desiring to hold practice sessions must submit the authorized forms for the periods in which the sessions are to be held. All practice sessions requiring the use of school buildings are limited to the time when a custodian is on duty. All other requirements for the use of the building shall apply. 4. Permits on Other Non-School Days Permits may be granted on non-school days for the use of school buildings and premises, provided that the application is approved by the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management and further provided that: 1. Such use shall not conflict with the use of facilities by the students of the public schools. 2. Persons to whom such permits shall be granted derive no personal profit or gain therefrom. 3. Such permits shall be restricted to: a. The St. Louis Public Schools; b. Other educational institutions; c. Any civil or municipal gathering;
e. Associations or enterprises, the primary purpose of which is educational, recreational, and community improvement. 4. Whenever such permits involve admission fees, the commissioner of buildings, grounds, and property management may invoke the appropriate charge for use of said facilities. Regulation approved: June 26, 1990 Revised: February 9, 1999 Revised: September 10, 2002 Revised: June 16, 2003 |
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