4260: Use of School Facilities

The public is encouraged to use school facilities, but will be expected to reimburse the district for such use to ensure that funds intended for education are not used for other purposes. On recommendation of the superintendent, the board will set the rental rates schedule.

The superintendent is authorized to establish procedures for use of school facilities, including rental rates, supervisory requirements, restrictions, and security. Those using school facilities will maintain insurance for accident and liability covering persons using the district’s facilities under the sponsorship of the organization.

The district does not discriminate based on race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups.

Community athletics programs that use district facilities will not discriminate against any person on the basis of sex in the operation, conduct or administration of their programs. The district will provide copies of the district’s nondiscrimination policy to all third parties using district facilities.

For rental rate purposes, organizations seeking the use of school facilities have been divided into three categories:

School or Child-Related Groups or Other Government Agencies

School or Child-related Groups or Other Government Agencies include those organizations whose main purpose is to promote the welfare of students, or to provide members of the community access to government programs or opportunities for civic participation. Examples are: Scouts, Campfire, PTA, 4-H, city or county sponsored recreation groups, polling places, political caucuses and governmental groups. When facilities are used outside of regular school hours, or when the district incurs extra utility, cleaning or supervision costs, a fee, established by the superintendent, will be charged to recoup those costs. Additionally, youth organizations engaged in sports activities and using school facilities must provide a statement of compliance with the policies for the management of concussion and head injury in youth sports as required by RCW 28A.600. The district will provide official recruiting representatives of the state and United States military forces, Job Corps, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps with access to school facilities (including number of days and type of presentation space) equal to and no less than the access provided to other post-secondary occupational or educational representatives, as required by RCW 28A.230.180.

Nonprofit Groups

Nonprofit groups and organizations may use school facilities for lectures, promotional activities, rallies, entertainment, college courses, or other activities for which public halls or commercial facilities generally are rented or owned. The district will charge a rental rate in excess of costs incurred. Excess charges may be waived when a service club or other nonprofit group is raising funds for charitable purposes.

To be granted this exception, the charitable organization must be a recognized 501(c)3 organization. Professional fundraisers representing charities must provide evidence that they are registered and bonded by the state of Washington. Such fund-raisers must provide evidence that the charity will receive at least sixty (60) percent of the gross revenues received from the public prior to approval to use the facilities.

Similar treatment may be granted public universities and colleges when offering college courses within the community or when any university/college is offering a course for staff at the request of the district. Nonprofit groups of the kind that in most communities have their own facilities (churches, lodges, veterans groups, granges, etc.) who wish to use district facilities on a regular, but temporary, basis may do so under this rental rate.

Commercial Enterprises

Commercial Enterprises include profit-making organizations and business-related enterprises. While the district would prefer these organizations use commercial or private facilities, facilities may be rented for non-regular use at the prevailing rate charged by commercial facilities in the area.

District-Sponsored Activities

District-sponsored activities, including curricular functions, co-curricular functions, and cooperative programs, retain first priority in use of facilities. Authorization for use of school facilities will not be considered as endorsement or approval of the activity, group or organization.

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Legal References

• RCW 4.24.660 Liability of school districts under contracts with youth programs
• RCW 28A.230.180 Access to campus and student information directories by official recruiting representatives – Informing students of educational and career opportunities
• RCW 28A.320.510 Night schools, summer schools, meetings, use of facilities for
• RCW 28A.335.150 Permitting use and rental of playgrounds, athletic fields, or athletic facilities
• RCW 28A.335.155 Use of buildings for youth programs — Limited immunity
• 20 USC Sec. 7905 Boys Scout of America Equal Access Act
• 34 CFR Sec. 108.6 Equal Access to Public School Facilities For The Boy Scouts of America and Other Designated Youth Groups
• AGO 1973 No. 26 Initiative No. 276 School districts — Use of school facilities for presentation of programs — Legislature — Elections

Management Resources

• Policy & Legal News, February 2014 Other updates/corrections
• Policy News, August 2009 Concussion and Head Injuries Legislation