Section K

School Community Relations Policy: Community Use of School Facilities File Code: KG Schools: Weybridge Warning: November 11, 1991 Adopted: November 21, 1991 Amended: December 20, 2007 The Weybridge School Board recognizes that the school facilities are a community asset that should be made available to community groups for appropriate civic, educational, cultural, or recreational purposes. Nevertheless, the primary function of the facilities is to provide an environment in which our students can achieve the goals of our educational program. Therefore, it is the policy of the Board to make school facilities and equipment available for use by the public, using the following guidelines, as long as such use does not interfere with school activities. Guidelines, requirements, and regulations for the use of the facilities are intended to act as safeguards for the public's investment in the building and not as a deterrent to its use.

General Guidelines: 1. School activities will take precedence over any other use of school facilities. For this reason, public use of classroom space is discouraged. 2. The use of school facilities is intended for those groups drawing their membership predominantly from within the Weybridge School District. 3. Written permission must be obtained for all use of school facilities, except for regularly scheduled school board meetings, staff meetings, and parent meetings. 4. Applications for the use of school facilities are to be directed to the principal. Forms for this purpose will be available at the school or from a designated board member. The principal will maintain copies of the required forms and agreements as well as a schedule of approved activities. Permission for use is normally granted by the principal in accordance with board policy. Any application that, in the opinion of the principal, is in question, shall be referred to the board for action at its next regularly scheduled meeting. 5. The application must state the purpose for which the facility or equipment is to be used and must be signed by a person who will be held accountable for any damage or loss of property arising from such use. 6. The following classifications of groups and organizations may apply for permission to use the school facilities: A. Student, teacher, and organized educational groups; local groups furthering education or sponsoring activities directly beneficial to the school; agencies of local government; adult-supervised community youth groups, non-profit community organizations and service groups; organizations sponsored by town residents. B. Social or religious groups. C. Organizations or groups using the facilities for promotion of sales and/or services for profit. 7. The person in charge of each group or organization using any part of the school facility must sign a liability waiver or "hold harmless" agreement unless a Certificate of Insurance has been provided by the organization against liability for any and all claims for damages arising from use of the facilities or from services provided by the school board. A Certificate of Insurance shall be required for Class C Organizations and in other cases determined by the principal. The user will be responsible for having the required Certificate or signed agreement delivered to the school office.

8. On-going events, scheduled in advance, may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling in order to provide opportunities for school functions or for other community groups to use the facility. 9. Authorization for use of school facilities shall not be considered as endorsement of or approval of the activity, group or organization or the purposes they represent. 10. Applicants may be required to pay: A. B. C. D.

A rental fee established by the School Board A damage deposit to be collected prior to the use of the facility A maintenance fee Wages for custodial services based on the custodian's current hourly rate

At the discretion of the principal, any of the above required fees and charges may be waived for groups in Classification A. 11. The principal may require the user to provide police protection for the school facilities. 12. At the discretion of the principal, the custodian may be required to be in attendance when the building or grounds are in use. 13. Groups using school facilities must comply with the rules and regulations established by the school board. 14. Applicants will be billed for the cost to the school for changing the locks if a key is not returned or is lost.