BUILDING AND SITES

Series 900

Policy Title:    Community Use of School District Facilities & Equipment                                                                                                         Code No.  905.1

School District facilities and equipment will be made available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities.  “Entities” will include organizations, groups, and individuals and their agents.  Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the educational program or a school-related activity, the use is consistent with state law, and will end no later than midnight.  It is within the discretion of the Board to allow for-profit entities to use School District facilities and equipment.  The Board reserves the right to deny use of the facilities and equipment to an entity.  It is within the discretion of the Superintendent to allow use of school district facilities and equipment on Sundays.

Entities who wish to use School District facilities or equipment must apply at the Activities Office and through the online facilities scheduler.  It is the responsibility of the Board Secretary, Superintendent, or Activities Director to determine whether the School District facility or equipment requested is available and whether the application for use meets Board policy and administrative regulations.  It is the responsibility of the Superintendent, Board Secretary, or Activities Director to provide application forms, obtain proof of insurance, and draw up the contract for use of School District facilities and equipment.

Use of School District facilities and equipment by entities will be supervised by a School District employee unless special prior arrangements are made with the Activities Director Superintendent.  The School District employee will not accept a fee from the entity using School District facilities and equipment.  If appropriate, the School District employee may be paid by the School District.

Entities that use School District buildings or sites must leave the building or site in the same condition it was in prior to its use.  Entities that use School District equipment must return the equipment in the same working condition it was in prior to its use.  Inappropriate use of School District facilities and equipment may result in additional fees charged to, or the inability of, the entity to use school district facilities or equipment in the future.

The Board may allow entities, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts and 4-H, to use the School District facilities and equipment without charge.  While such entities may use the facilities and equipment without charge, they may be required to pay a custodial fee.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop a fee schedule for the Board’s approval and to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.

Approved:  October 14, 2003

Reviewed:  September 13, 2016

Revised:  March 8, 2022

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 8D; 276; 278.1(4); 279.8; 297.9-.11; 123.46 (2013); 1982 Op. Att'y Gen. 561; 1940 Op. Att'y Gen. 232; 1936 Op. Att'y Gen. 196

Cross Reference:  704 Revenue

BUILDING AND SITES

Series 900

Policy Title:  Tobacco/Nicotine/Smoke-Free Environment                                                                                                                                                                                                       Code No.  905.2

School district facilities and grounds, including school vehicles, are off limits for tobacco or nicotine use, including the use of look-a-likes where the original would include tobacco or nicotine.  This requirement extends to students, employees, and visitors.  This policy applies at all times, including school-sponsored and nonschool-sponsored events.  Persons failing to abide by this request are required to extinguish their smoking material, dispose of the tobacco, nicotine, or other product, or leave the school district premises immediately.  It is the responsibility of Administration to enforce this policy.

Approved:  October 14, 2003

Reviewed:  March 11, 2022

Revised:  September 13, 2016

Legal Reference:  Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994); House File 2212, Iowa General Assembly (2008); Iowa Code §§ 142D; 279.8, .9; 297 (2013).

Cross Reference:  903.4 Public Conduct on School Premises; 905.1 Community Use of School District Buildings & Sites & Equipment

WEAPONS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT                                                                                                                                          Code No.  905.3

he board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-a-likes in school district facilities and at school district-approved events cause material and substantial disruption to the school environment or present a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors on the school district premises or property within the jurisdiction of the school district. 

All weapons, dangerous objects and look-a-likes are prohibited to be carried, possessed, transported or otherwise stored on school district property and to school district-approved events.  Exceptions to this policy include weapons carried by the following individuals in performance of their official duties:

· law enforcement;

· military personnel;

· corrections officers;

· individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent, and;

· students and individuals approved in writing by the Superintendent who are actively engaging in a school district approved firearms safety course, hunter education course or shooting sports activity.

Individuals found to be in violation of this district policy will be required to immediately remove the weapon, dangerous object or look-a-likes from the school district property or event.  Students found to be in violation of this policy or any other board policies related to weapons will be subject to disciplinary proceedings. 

Note:  In 2021, the legislature made changes to decriminalize the carrying of firearms on campus by certain individuals if certain circumstances are met.  However, much like creating tobacco-free campuses, schools maintain the authority to choose whether to place additional limitations on the carrying of firearms on district property as needed to protect the health and safety of students and staff. 

Legal Reference:           18 U.S.C. § 921

                                       Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.21B; 483A.27(11), 724

                                       281 I.A.C. 12.3(6)

Cross Reference:            502      Student Rights and Responsibilities

                                       503      Student Discipline

                                       507      Student Health and Well-Being

Approved     August 10, 2021                                        

Reviewed     March 8, 2022                                           

 Revised