General
The Governing Board believes that school facilities and grounds are a vital community resource which should be used to foster community involvement and development. Therefore, the Board authorizes the use of school facilities by district residents and community groups for purposes specified in the Civic Center Act, to the extent that such use does not interfere with school activities or other school-related uses.
(cf. 6145.5 - Student Organizations and Equal Access)
School-related activities and joint-use agreements approved by the Board shall have priority in the use of school facilities and grounds. Other uses authorized under the Civic Center Act shall be on a first-come, first-served basis.
As necessary to ensure efficient use of school facilities, the Superintendent or designee may, with the Board's approval, enter into an agreement for the joint use of any school facilities or grounds. The Board shall approve any such agreement only if it determines that it is in the best interest of the district and the community.
(cf. 1330.1 - Joint Use Agreements)
Subject to prior approval by the Board, the Superintendent or designee may grant the use of school facilities on those days on which the school is closed. (Education Code 37220)
(cf. 6115 - Ceremonies and Observances)
For the effective management and control of school facilities and grounds, the Superintendent or designee shall maintain procedures and regulations that: (Education Code 38133)
1. Aid, encourage, and assist groups desiring to use school facilities for approved activities
2. Preserve order in school buildings and on school grounds and protect school facilities, designating a person to supervise this task, if necessary
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive School Safety Plan)
(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)
3. Ensure that the use of school facilities or grounds is not inconsistent with their use for school purposes and does not interfere with the regular conduct of school work
There shall be no advertising on school facilities and grounds except as allowed by district policy specified in BP 1325 - Advertising and Promotion.
(cf. 1325 - Advertising and Promotion)
Civic Center Use
Subject to district policies and regulations, school facilities and grounds shall be made available to citizens and community groups as a civic center for the following purposes: (Education Code 32282, 38131)
1. Public, literary, scientific, recreational, educational, or public agency meetings
2. The discussion of matters of general or public interest
3. The conduct of religious services for temporary periods on a one-time or renewable basis, by any church or religious organization
4. Child care programs to provide supervision and activities for children of preschool and elementary school age
(cf. 5148 - Child Care and Development)
(cf. 5148.2 - Before/After School Programs)
(cf. 5148.3 - Preschool/Early Childhood Education)
5. The administration of examinations for the selection of personnel or the instruction of precinct Board members by public agencies
6. Supervised recreational activities including, but not limited to, sports league activities that are arranged for and supervised by entities, including religious organizations or churches, and in which youths may participate regardless of religious belief or denomination
7. A community youth center
(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)
8. Mass care and welfare shelters during disasters or other emergencies affecting the public health and welfare, including, but not limited to, the American Red Cross. The Board shall cooperate with these agencies in furnishing and maintaining such services as the Board may deem necessary to meet the needs of the community
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)
(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)
9. A ceremony, patriotic celebration, or related educational assembly conducted by a veterans' organization
A veterans' organization means the American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, United Spanish War Veterans, Grand Army of the Republic, or other duty recognized organization of honorably discharged soldiers, sailors, or marines of the United States, or any of their territories. (Military and Veterans Code 1800)
10. The Board has entered into joint use agreements with local park and recreation districts (Rancho Cordova and Folsom) which authorizes the use of playfields and building facilities for park district sponsored activities
11. The Board may enter into an agreement with a parent or independent organization to conduct Bingo activities on school premises providing the organization meets the following criteria:
a. The organization has a Board of Directors, elected by the membership-at-large and Bylaws, approved by the membership-at-large.
b. The organization completes and complies with terms of the "Agreement to Conduct Bingo Activities."
c. The organization complies with the Sacramento County Ordinance under Business Licenses and Regulations, 5.66 "Bingo Games."
d. The organization complies with Section 326.5 of the California Penal Code, relating to Bingo. (Chapter 804/9181)
e. The organization is committed to the philosophy of the Goals and Objectives of the district and proceeds are donated to the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
Fee structure will be within the terms stipulated in Administrative Regulation 1330. An infraction of the "Agreement to Conduct Bingo Activities" will result in the immediate termination of the Agreement and the use of district facilities, as determined by the Deputy Superintendent, Business Services or designee. Any termination of the Agreement may be appealed through the office of the Chief Financial Officer or designee, in accordance with established procedures.
12. Other purposes deemed appropriate by the Board or Superintendent
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
10900-10914.5 Community recreation programs
32282 School safety plan
37220 School holidays
38130-38138 Civic Center Act, use of school property for public purposes
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
25608 Alcoholic beverage on school premises
MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE
1800 Definitions
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
7905 Equal access to public school facilities
COURT DECISIONS
Good News Club v. Milford Central School, (2001) 533 U.S. 98
Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District, (1993) 508 U.S. 384
Cole v. Richardson, (1972) 405 U.S. 676
Connell v. Higgenbotham, (1971) 403 U.S. 207
ACLU v. Board of Education of Los Angeles, (1961) 55 Cal .2d 167
Ellis v. Board of Education, (1945) 27 Cal.2d 322
ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINIONS
82 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 90 (1999)
79 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 248 (1996)
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Maximizing Opportunities for Physical Activity Through Joint Use of Facilities, Policy Brief, February 2010
Building Healthy Communities: A School Leader's Guide to Collaboration and Community Engagement, 2009
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
Policy FOLSOM CORDOVA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: July 2, 1984 Folsom, California
revised: January 28, 2010
revised: August 5, 2010
revised: August 7, 2014