5.1 Use of Technology Center Facilities
Property
USE OF TECHNOLOGY CENTER FACILITIES
Board of Education Section 5
Policy 5.1
Standards for Use of School Facilities
The technology center will permit use of school facilities by educational, political, literary, cultural, religious, scientific, civic or recreational community organizations provided that:
- The intended use of the facility by the organization meets certain established criteria; and
- When required, a previously established fee is paid by the organization.
Providing every student with the best education possible is the primary function and responsibility of the board. Therefore, school-related functions will be given priority when it is necessary to use school facilities. However, the board is also vitally interested in supporting out-of-school activities which supplement the efforts of the Kiamichi Technology Centers district.
School facilities are often useful in carrying on the activities of various non-school organizations. Since many constructive educational activities take place outside the classroom, the administration should do as much as possible to encourage and aid the commendable efforts of many parents and citizens who work with youth to attain objectives which are similar to the goals of this district.
Procedures for Use of School Facilities
All organizations must make application in writing on a provided application form to the campus directors at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting requested.
If the organization's request is one with regularly occurring dates, approval may be given for the entire schedule. Should a conflict develop with a school activity, the technology center reserves the right to cancel the permission granted or to require a change to a mutually satisfactory date and time.
Permitted Use
Permission for use of school facilities belonging to this district may be granted to educational, political, literary, cultural, religious, scientific, civic or recreational organizations for purposes and programs which:
- Are beneficial to the students or stakeholders of the district and to the programs of the district; and
- Do not result in an increased monetary burden on the citizens of the district.
Priority Use
The superintendent or his/her designee is to determine whether the proposed use of the facility will conflict with scheduled school programs and is to monitor the facility for signs of misuse or abuse.
Prohibited Use
School facilities will not be used for:
- Meetings which promote subversive teachings and doctrines contrary to the spirit of American institutions;
- Activities tending to cause unrest in the community or which reflect upon or promote discrimination against citizens of the United States because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information;
- Any activity that may be destructive or injurious to the buildings, grounds or equipment; or
- Any purpose in conflict with school objectives.
Payment in Advance
All payments for the use of school facilities must be received at the office of the campus director at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time.
Responsibility of Applicant
The applicant and his/her organization will be held responsible for the proper use of the building, for payment for the use of school facilities, for the conduct of persons attending the meeting, and will see to it that activities are confined to the areas requested and to the hours agreed upon in the application. The applicant will indemnify the technology center for any theft, loss or damage to school property over and above normal wear which might be expected from his/her use thereof, and will make prompt payment for such theft, loss or damage. A deposit may be required if circumstances warrant. It is required that users of school facilities will see that the activities are conducted at all times under competent adult supervision. The superintendent or his/her designee will be the judge of unwarranted damages to the school property.
All rooms or areas will be left in as good condition as they were found, except the usual accumulation resulting from normal building use. No applicant may sublet any part of the building area named in the application request. All applications for repetitious use of the school facilities will be renewed at the beginning of each school year and are subject to review by the campus director.
Users of school property must assume responsibility for the safety and protection of the all individuals in attendance to the extent required by law. The superintendent has the right to require minimum limits of public liability and property damage insurance for all groups using any school facility, and to require that there be evidence presented to the superintendent in the form of a certificate of insurance, showing Kiamichi Technology Center District #7 of Latimer County, Oklahoma, as an additional named insured.
Time Limits
The campus directors of schools shall approve times for all meetings on school property.
Cancellations
Requests for cancellation of the use of school facilities must be received at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting time. Failure to do so will obligate the applicant and his/her organization to pay for all custodial and such other expenses as are incurred in opening the building for his/her use.
Cancellation of permission to use school facilities may be ordered whenever such action is deemed in the best interest of the district. However, such cancellations will not be made except when unforeseen emergencies arise; and, then with as much advance notice as possible. Permission may be canceled by the campus director if conduct or infraction of regulations warrant.
As a general rile facilities will not be available for use by outside organizations when sites are closed. (link to school calendar) Should one or more meetings approved as a series of meetings fall on such days, such meeting dates will be automatically canceled for these days only. The superintendent may, in his/her best judgment, authorize limited exceptions to this rule for good cause shown.
Charges
Charges made for use of school facilities are not rentals as that term is generally used, but are based on the cost of operating expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, such as utilities, supplies, maintenance of facilities, custodial and cafeteria services, as well as clerical services. Such reimbursement charges are subject to change as the superintendent may deem necessary. With prior permission of the board of education, a fee in excess of operating expenses may be charged to a facilities user if such user is using school property as a part of a profit-making operation. Such fee will be set by the board of education after recommendation of the superintendent.
Building Use Without Charge
School, civic, or non-profit such as student organizations, and educational organizations, school board organizations, etc., are granted building use without charge as long as such use does not conflict with regular school sessions.
No fee will be assessed against school, civic, or non-profit organizations for their regularly scheduled meetings. If there should be additional meetings of the above-mentioned, they will be charged for custodial services and/or cafeteria employee services as required, according to the regular fee as determined by the superintendent.
Organizations which qualify for use of meeting space without charge on weekdays will be charged regular rates for meetings held on Saturdays and Sundays, for weekday meetings which extend beyond 9:00 p.m.
Custodial Care
A school employee is assigned for continuous duty during the time the group will be using the school facility. The custodian will open the building prior to the time set for the meeting, arrange the requested facilities and serve as the official representative of the technology center. No one except the qualified employee will be allowed to operate or adjust equipment in the building. Upon conclusion of the meeting the custodian will clean, properly arrange the facilities and carefully inspect the premises before locking the building. For situations in which the meeting does not materialize and has not been previously canceled, the employee will remain on duty for one hour after the requested starting time of the meeting and, if no word is received within that period indicating a later starting time, he/she will lock the building. Employees are instructed not to open any areas other than those required in the application. Additional space may be arranged by filing an additional application. Emergency needs may be requested by telephone.
Security
Uniformed officers must be on duty when so directed by the superintendent or his/her designee.
Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Dangerous Weapons
The use or possession of alcoholic beverages, low-point beer or controlled substances (drugs) will not be permitted on school property. Organizations using school property for any purpose are expected to comply with technology center policy concerning the use of tobacco. Dangerous weapons are prohibited on school property. Individuals must comply with state and federal laws applicable to possession and storage of a firearm, machete, blackjack, loaded cane, hand chains and metal knuckles on school property. Firearms, machetes, blackjacks, loaded canes, hand chains and metal knuckles are restricted to the school parking lot and must not be brought onto any other school property or into school buildings, offices or other structures, absent the written consent of the school’s superintendent.
Apparatus and Equipment
Requests to use district equipment or will be included in the application All such equipment and properties will be operated, moved and controlled only by persons specifically designated by the campus director.
As a precaution against fire, no request will be granted for the use of lighted candles or other actual flame equipment in connection with building usage.
School equipment is not available for use off school premises unless it is beneficial to the district in carrying forward its programs.
Refreshments will be served only in designated areas.
Parking Lots
Parking lots are provided with the use of most school buildings. If use of only a parking lot is desired, application will be made as for use of any school facility. Parking areas are not reservedexclusively for groups using school buildings.
Use of School Grounds and Recreational Facilities
School grounds will be made available to the general public at times when they are not being used for school purposes. The general public has a responsibility not to cause damage to the property or become a nuisance to adjoining property owners and others in the neighborhood.
The board realizes that each case should be dealt with separately. However, the following regulations will serve as a guide:
- School grounds may be used by organized athletic leagues when not in conflict with school programs, upon approval of application to use such facilities;
- Approval of such application does not include uses of any building facilities.
- No automobiles, motor scooters, motor bikes or other such licensed vehicles are to be driven on the lawns; and
- Sporting activities will be permitted as long as there is no damage to neighboring or school property.
Concessions
Concession rights at all school facilities are reserved for this technology center. These may be assigned to school organizations upon request or may be contracted by outside vendors.
Interpretation of the Policy and Procedures
The superintendent shall interpret and enforce all provisions of this policy and procedures. Whenever used herein, the term “Director” shall mean the director of a KTC campus. Nothing in this policy shall be constructed to grant any director greater authority than that of the Superintendent or Board of Education on any matter related to facilities.
Adopted April 12, 2022