Use of Facilities

The Emerson Board of Education believes the school facilities of this district should be made available for community purposes, provided that such use does not interfere with the educational and co-curricular programs of the school district.  For the purpose of this policy, “school facilities” also includes school grounds. The Board will permit the use of school facilities when such permission has been requested in writing and has been approved by the Business Administrator.  The Board reserves the right to withdraw permission after it has been granted in the event circumstances change requiring such school facilities or school grounds will be needed for a school district purpose or due to a school closing due to weather or other emergency.  In weighing competing requests for the use of school facilities, the Board will give priority to the following uses, in the descending order given:

•     Uses and groups directly related to the schools and the operations of the schools, including pupil and teacher groups;
•     Uses and organizations indirectly related to the schools, including the P.T.A., P.T.O., Home-School Association, and other school-parent related organizations;
•     Departments and agencies of the municipal government;
•     Governmental agencies;
•     Community organizations formed for charitable, civic, social, or educational purposes;
•     Community political organizations;
•     Community church groups;
•     Private groups and organizations;
  

The use of school facilities will not be granted for the advantage of any commercial or profit-making organization, partisan political activity, or any private social function.The use of school facilities will not be granted for any purpose that is prohibited by law.

Each user shall present evidence of the purchase of organizational liability insurance to the limit as prescribed by district regulations. Each user shall inspect any facility or school grounds to be used prior to such use and shall notify a district representative of any existing safety or dangerous conditions.  In the event such conditions exist, the district may cancel or modify the user’s access to the school facility until such conditions are addressed.  Users shall be financially liable for damage to the facilities and for proper chaperonage as required by the school district administration.  

To apply for Use of Facilities, organizations must register on Civic Permits.  After registering, please fill out a permit to reserve a facility.

Visit here for the District Civic Permits Page.

For assistance with the procedures for applying for the use of district facilities, please contact the Emerson Board of Education at 201-262-3875.