COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

It is recognized that the Georgetown Central School is used for community activities. This use shall be permitted and encouraged under the direction of the school principal. It is understood that such use will not interfere with school programs. All arrangements shall be subject to the provisions that follow.

Procedure

In the absence of the Principal, the requests for use of the school facilities are to be made to the Chairperson of the School Committee in a reasonable time prior to the date of use.

Note: Forms are available from the school office. Facilities Use Form

Janitorial Services

When the gym or other school space is being used for non-school related activities, janitor services will be required when necessary and charged to the user.

Rules and Regulations

Approved applicants shall be responsible for damage that may be caused by their use or sponsorship.

Approved applicants will be billed for custodial and/or building services, and checks will be made payable to Georgetown School Department.

No smoking or firearms will be permitted in any facility at any time.

No person under the influence of intoxicating beverages or drugs shall be permitted in any facility, nor shall any person bring, use or offer alcoholic beverages or drugs in any facility at any time.

Under no conditions shall the use of kitchen equipment be allowed by other than cafeteria personnel. If food is prepared and/or served by other than cafeteria personnel, school lunch employees will be present at the current rate. If the principal or their designee is present, the Georgetown School Committee may waive the school lunch employees' attendance.

Approved applicants are expected not to use facilities in any way that would be considered below standards of sanitation or safety.

Approved applicants are expected to leave facilities clean and all equipment and utensils returned to their proper places.

School equipment will not be loaned for use outside the building for private use.

The Georgetown School Committee reserves the right to adjust regulations or cancel applications.

Parking will only be permitted in the designated paved areas.

The primary function of school facilities is to serve the educational needs of students in our school unit . The Board wishes to make these facilities available for broader community use when they are not in use for school purposes. The Board retains the right at all times to make individual decisions regarding the use of school facilities, but generally facilities will be made available in accordance with this policy.

The Superintendent shall be responsible for the overall implementation of this policy and for developing any necessary administrative procedures concerning facility use as long as they are consistent with this policy. The Director of Maintenance and/or the Building Administrator is responsible for administering this policy and shall report to the Superintendent.

A. Priority Order of School Facilities Use

School facilities will be made available to users in the following priority order:

1) School educational programs and sanctioned extracurricular activities (these uses take precedence over all other uses);

2) Community groups will also be granted reasonable, free use of school facilities Service groups and non-profit organizations serving students in the school unit;

3) Non-student related service groups and non-profit organizations located in the school unit ;

4) Private groups located in the school unit and citizen s who reside in the school unit;

5) Non-resident groups and individuals;

6) Profit-making businesses/groups.

Exceptions to this priority order may be made in the event of a weather or civil emergency when school buildings are required for official emergency management use.

B. Prohibited Activities

The following general prohibitions apply to all outside users of school facilities. Other activities may be prohibited on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.

1) No school facility shall be made available to any group or individual advocating unconstitutional or illegal acts.

2) No school facility shall be made available for any activities that are, in the opinion of the Superintendent of Schools, contrary to the best interests of the school unit or the welfare of it s employees and/or students.

3) No school facility shall be made available in violation of any local, state or federal laws.

4) No school facility shall be made available for any purpose that may present a risk of damage t o school buildings, grounds or equipment.

5) Possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs on school property is prohibited.

6) Use of tobacco products is prohibited on school property.

C. Conditions of Use

The following general conditions apply to all outside users of school facilities. Any additional conditions applicable to particular facilities will be provided at the time of application for facility use.

1) The school unit assumes no liability for any damage or loss to non -school property resulting from the use of school facilities.

2) Proof of adequate liability insurance or financial resources may be required, depending upon the particular use.

3) Applicants must complete a facility use application and agreement 14 days prior to the date of use, which contains a release and indemnity provision and comply with all administrative procedures for reserving school facilities.

4) Organizations and groups must designate a specific person responsible for the event. The person responsible for any facility use must be over the age of 21.

5) Facilities must be used only for the approved purpose.

6) Any event advertising must make clear that the event is not school-sponsored and will include the disclaimer stated on the facility use agreement form in all advertising. If this disclaimer is not included in advertising, the event will be cancelled.

7) Users must comply with all life safety code requirements and school safety rules.

8) All Board policies, procedures and school rules remain in effect during any facility use.

9) The Superintendent of Schools reserves the right to require that school personnel (such as custodians, kitchen staff or others) be present during an event. Any such costs shall be borne by the user.

10) Users are responsible for maintaining appropriate supervision, order and security during the event. The Board/designee reserves the right to require that security or police personnel be present during an event. Any such costs shall be borne by the user.

11) Authorized school staff retains the right to access all school facilities during all events.

12) All facilities and equipment must be left in the condition in which they were received. The user shall be responsible for any clean-up and/or equipment repair or replacement costs incurred as a result of the facility use.

The Board shall approve a fee schedule for use of school facilities. This fee schedule shall be reviewed by the Superintendent and the Director of Maintenance on an annual basis, and any recommendations for changes brought to the Board for action.

D. Policy Violations

Users who violate this policy may be required to vacate the facility immediately and may, at the discretion of the Superintendent, be barred from future facility use.

E. Appeals

In the event that use of school facilities is denied or revoked, the applicant or user may appeal the decision in writing to the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent's decision is final.

Legal Reference: Title 20A MRSA, Sec. 1001

Adopted: 6-11-86

Revised: 8-11-94 ,11-8-06 ,12-6-06

Revised: 5-4-17, 5/17/2021