Successful education programs require the support of the school district community.  The board addresses the importance of the role of the school district community in the school district in this series of the policy manual.  The board recognizes this support is dependent on the school district community's understanding of participation in the efforts, goals, problems and programs of the school district.

In this section, the board sets out its policies defining its relationship with the school district community.  In striving to obtain the support of the school district community, the board will:

• Provide access to school district records;
• Inform the school district community of the school district's goals, objectives, achievements, and needs;
• Invite the input of the school district community; and,
• Encourage cooperation between the school district and the school district community.

Approved October 17, 2022                   Reviewed                                                                                Revised                   

Public records of the school district may be viewed by the public during the regular business hours of the administration offices of the school district.  These hours are 9      a.m. to  3  p.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays and recesses.

Persons wishing to view the school district's public records will contact the board secretary and make arrangements for the viewing.  The board secretary will make arrangements for viewing the records as soon as practicable, depending on the nature of the request.

Persons may request copies of public records by telephone or in writing, including electronically.  The school district may require pre-payment of the costs prior to copy and mailing. 

Persons wanting copies may be assessed a reasonable fee for the copy.  Persons wanting compilation of information may be assessed a reasonable fee for the time of the employee to review and compile the requested information. The district will make every effort to provide the public record requested at no cost other than copying costs for a record which takes less than thirty minutes to produce. 

Costs for legal services utilized for the redaction or review of legally protected confidential information may also be assessed to the individual requesting the records.  Printing of materials for the public at the expense of the school district will only occur when the event is sponsored by the school district.

Pursuant to Iowa law, the board has determined certain records need to be confidential as their disclosure could jeopardize the safety of persons or property and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Security procedures
• Emergency preparedness procedures
• Evacuation procedures
• Security codes and passwords

It is the responsibility of the board secretary to maintain accurate and current records of the school district.  It is the responsibility of the board secretary to respond in a timely manner to requests for viewing and receiving public information of the school district.

NOTE:  This is a mandatory policy and is consistent with the Iowa public records law regarding access to, copying of and charging for copies of public records.  By law, individuals have a right to access public records during the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. unless the board sets other hours.  IASB recommends that the board establish specific hours in board policy, and blanks are provided in the first paragraph for that purpose.        

Legal Reference:             Iowa Code §§ 21.4; 22.7; 291.6.

Cross Reference:             215  Board of Directors' Records

                                      401.5  Employee Records

                                      506  Student Records

                                      708  Care, Maintenance, and Disposal of School District Records

                                      902.1 News Media Relations

Approved     October 17, 2022                Reviewed                      Revised:  September 18, 2023

Legal Reference:  FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, P.L. 112-95, Title III, Subtitle B.
                                       Model Aircraft Operating Standards, FFA AC No. 91-57A (Sept. 2, 2015).
                                       OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL, FED. AVIATION ADMIN., State and Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Fact Sheet (Dec. 17, 2015).
                                       Iowa Code § 279.8
                                       IHSAA Drone Policy

Cross Reference:  602.1    Curriculum Development

Approved October 17, 2022                   Reviewed                                                  Revised                                                                             

Rental of School Facilities

1. Recognizing the importance of a comprehensive utilization of school facilities and the public ownership responsibility, the public shall be allowed to use these facilities as often as possible subject to: administrative approval; the priority rights of the educational schedule; and receipt of any required rental fee based on the costs incurred by the school district from this special use by the public.
2.  It is understood that such use shall be for community purposes or the promotion of community activities and that any program presented shall have worthwhile educational, recreational or cultural values and be free from objectionable qualities.
3. For purposes of this policy “facilities” shall mean any school district building, equipment, or site, with the exception of the Panther Stadium which is governed by policy 910.

General Rules

1. All uses of tobacco, nicotine, or alcohol will be prohibited in Creston Community School District facilities and on any Creston Community School District Property.  This includes classrooms, corridors, restrooms, locker rooms, work areas, lunchrooms, offices, lounges, outdoor athletic and recreation facilities, transportation and technology building, maintenance areas, copy center, and all other rooms owned or leased by the district.  Visitors are asked to cooperate with this policy and refrain from using tobacco and alcohol in school facilities and on school district grounds. Persons who do not comply will be asked to leave the facility and the school grounds.
2. No rent will be charged for meetings when the proceeds go to the school without profits to any individual or non-school sponsoring group, or meetings where the chief purpose is improvement of instruction, or a school program of the city, county, or state.  (See agreement with City of Creston.)
3. All concession rights at all times will be retained by the schools.  The District retains the right to deny the sale of concessions of any kind.
4. School activities receive preference in dates.
5. All arrangements for the facility involved by outside of school agencies should be made through the Activities Officel. 
6. All payments must be made to the Creston Community School District and must be submitted to the District Business Manager located at Administrative Office at 801 North Elm Street, Creston, IA.
7. Rental of school facilities for Sunday use is discouraged.  The use of school facilities on Sunday requires approval by the Superintendent.
8. Special arrangements must be made for the use and operation of all school district sound equipment.  Use of the lighting and sound systems in the Creston Community High School Auditorium requires the presence of a district approved technician to operate the system.
9. The gymnasiums will not be rented for martial arts, boxing or wrestling matches where the participants are paid.
10. An administrator, custodian, or designated and administratively approved staff member will be on duty in the building at all times when school facilities are rented.  However, the entity remains responsible for supervising their own activities, assuring the safety of persons participating or attending, and for compliance with applicable laws and district policies and rules pertaining to the use of school district facilities.
11. Kitchen facilities will not be available for rent.
12. For special occasions, requests, or circumstances not covered by these rules, the Superintendent will consider, but is not required to approve, individual arrangements.
13. The facility must be used only for the purpose that it was originally intended as set forth with the building principal at the time the rental contract was signed. Entities must stay within the area of the school district facility authorized by the school district and use only the equipment for which it has been authorized use.  Other school district facilities, sites, or equipment are off limits,
14. School authorities may deny rental of facilities, when in their judgment, the intended use would cause undue wear or damage to the facilities.  Entities must return facilities and equipment to the school district in the condition it was prior to use.  If excessive costs are involved in restoring the facility or equipment to the condition it was in prior to use, the superintendent may charge the entity for the excessive costs.
15. The School District requires a 50% deposit of the estimated rental fees to be paid at the time of application.  All applications for use of school facilities shall be made in writing on the form provided to building principals by the Secretary of the Board of Education.  Failure to pay the total fee required within 20 days of the event will result in the denial of future rental requests from a group or individual.
16. When the request is received at least two weeks prior, complies with regulation guidelines, and there is no objection or concern about the arrangements raised by either the building principal or the party desiring the facilities, the principal shall approve the request, except for Sunday rentals.  A cancellation after the facility or equipment is made ready for the entity will be charged at the full rate.  Cancellations made prior to that time will be charged a minimum cancellation fee or the costs incurred to the school district in anticipation of the entity’s use, whichever is greater.
17. Requests for guidance or appeals regarding any aspect of an application for the use of buildings shall be made first to the Secretary of the Board of Education.  If the Secretary cannot find a solution, an appeal shall be taken to the Superintendent.
18. All entities using school district facilities and/or equipment shall indemnify and hold harmless the school district for any and all loss, damage, or claim that may be made as a result of the use or activities carried out by the entity using the facilities and/or equipment.

Schedule of Charges

The fees for use of school facilities are based on the following classes:

Class A

No fees will be charged to groups in this class unless additional clean-up is necessary, above normal utility expenses are incurred, or damage is done to facilities.  The Superintendent will determine the rate of additional charges if necessary.

1. Designated school-affiliated organizations
2. Union County governmental units
3. Creston district youth groups such as Boy and Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Boys/Girls, local area 4-H Clubs,
4. Locally sponsored youth athletic activities

Class B

The rate of rent for groups in this class will align with the specific space rented and the cost of custodial service required rate of $25.00 per hour per custodian as determined by the District designee .  Additional fees may be charged if additional clean-up is necessary, above normal utility expenses are incurred, or damage is done to facilities.  The Superintendent will determine the rate of additional charges if necessary.

1. Service organizations within the district—formally organized and universally recognized groups which are non-profit and exist primarily to serve the community. 
2. Faith based organizations located within the district.
3. School district non-profit organizations.
4. Local chapters of charitable organizations formally organized and universally recognized which are non-profit and exist to provide benefits for residents of the School District.    

Class C              

The rate of rent for groups in this class will be $50.00 per hour. Additional fees may be charged if additional clean-up is necessary, above normal utility expenses are incurred, or damage is done to facilities.  The Superintendent will determine the rate of additional charges if necessary.

1. Businesses located within and paying property taxes in the Creston Community School District.
2. Private individuals, private or social groups, and groups or organizations based in the Creston Community School District shall not be granted rental rights without special approval by the Superintendent at which time the rental fee shall be set.
3. Events for profit by private individuals, social groups, and groups or organizations will be charged a higher rate for facility rental if approved by the Superintendent.

Class D         

The rate of rent for groups in this class will be $75.00 per hour. Additional fees may be charged if additional clean-up is necessary, above normal utility expenses are incurred, or damage is done to facilities.  The Superintendent will determine the rate of additional charges if necessary.

Private individuals, private or social groups, and groups or organizations based outside the Creston Community School District shall not be granted rental rights without special approval by the Superintendent at which time the rental fee shall be set.

RENTAL INFORMATION:

The Board of Directors of the Creston Community School District promotes the concept of school facilities serving as a center for community activities. However, the District maintains its facilities primarily for educational purposes for District students, and such purposes shall be granted the highest priority.

For stadium rental, a written application and agreement must be completed by the person or entity wishing to use the stadium in accordance with District Policy. The agreement must be approved by the superintendent or by a designee of the superintendent. If you wish to use Panther Field or the surrounding Panther Stadium facilities, please contact the Activities Office at Creston Community High School and complete the Application for Stadium Use and abide by the conditions outlined in this policy.

Further rental information may be obtained from the Creston Community High School Activities Office at (641) 782-7130 or from the Creston Community School District Central Office at (641) 782-7028.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

1. Applications for the use of facilities may be obtained at the Activities Office.
2. Complete the Application for Use of School Facility request form.  Provide all requested information to avoid unnecessary delays in processing your application.
3. Applications for all uses of school facilities shall be submitted to the Activities Office at Creston Community High School.
4. The Activities Director or Superintendent will make the final decision and assign fees and additional requirements as appropriate.
5. The application must be received at least seven (7) business days prior to the facility use.  Submission in advance of these dates will not guarantee approval of your application. The District’s fiscal year is July 1st through June 30th. For groups with events spanning two fiscal years, invoices will be separated by fiscal year. 
6. The certificate of insurance must be received prior to the facility use.

MULTIPLE USES: 

A single application may be made for a series of meetings of like character to be held at the same school facility.  However, separate applications must be submitted for each school facility requested for use.

CANCELLATION: 

The applicant shall give at least two (2) business days’ notice to the Activities Office of any cancellation of previously scheduled facility use.  In the case where proper notice is not given, the District may charge for any expenses incurred and cost recovery or rental fees will be assessed. Permits (if necessary):

Applicants are responsible for obtaining any required permits and for satisfying all city, county, state and federal codes and regulations associated with the proposed activities.

APPEALS:

The Activities Director possesses the authority to make the final decision on the use of school facilities and the appropriate charges.  However, the applicant may appeal such decision to the Superintendent.

RULES & REGULATIONS:

Any group or individual that has applied for the use of Panther Stadium, Panther Field, the track, or surrounding facilities and area agrees to be bound by the following conditions:

1. Availability of the facilities and/or equipment is contingent upon the activity not interfering with the District's educational and activity program.  I/we understand that the District reserves the right without penalty (but with refund of any prepaid charges) to cancel any agreement to allow my/our use of the facilities and/or equipment.
2. The use of the facilities and/or equipment will comply with law and the rules of the District.  Failure to do so may result in financial penalties and/or the loss of the privilege to use the facility.
3.  I/we will exercise care in the use of the facilities and/or equipment and agree to compensate the District for any damage done to the facilities or property of the District. The individual representative agrees to reimburse the District in the event the organization fails to make reimbursement.
4. The activity will be constantly supervised by an adequate number of adult sponsors.
5. Groups must pick up all garbage after using any of the stadium facilities and surrounding area.
6.  Animals are not allowed in Panther Stadium and are strictly prohibited.  Animals are not allowed on the track, on the Field Turf, or anywhere within the field fencing.
7.  No alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, substance paraphernalia, or look-alike substances are allowed on District property.
8. No colored sports drinks are allowed on Panther Field.
9. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are also prohibited on District property.
10. Sunflower seeds and gum are prohibited within the fence surrounding the track and Panther Field and on the field itself.
11. Bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, scooters, motorcycles or similar equipment are not allowed within Panther Stadium, on the track, or on Panther Field.
12. Turf shoes or molded cleats are suitable for the Field Turf playing surface.  No metal cleats may be worn on the track or Field Turf field.  Shoes must be free of mud or debris before accessing the track and field area.
13. No golfing, shot putting, javelin or discus throwing are allowed on Panther Field.
14. Soccer corner flags or any field markers with spikes may not be used on Panther Field.
15. No stakes, poles, braces, wires, or anchors may be driven into the Field Turf.  Tents are not allowed within the fence surrounding the track and Panther Field.
16. Chairs or tables may not be used on Panther Field without written permission.  If approved, chair legs must be protected with rubber ends/tips.  Sharp edges of any kind are not allowed.  Team benches must have protective covering on their bases to prevent damage to the turf.
17. Vehicles other than official school vehicles are not allowed in Panther Stadium, on the track, or on Panther Field.
18. Teams must access Panther Field using the protective matting placed on the track surface.
19. Only team and district personnel may be inside the fence surrounding the track and Panther Field during school sanctioned events.
20. Storage of materials or equipment is not permitted on or around the track or Panther Field.
21. Absolutely no fireworks, lighters, or burning of any kind are allowed in or near Panther Stadium without permission.  Grills or smokers in the concession area are allowed but require formal approval from the Activities Director or Superintendent.
22. The District retains the right to access the facilities and to remove persons from District property.
23. The activity will be confined to the areas approved and no school equipment or supplies will be used except as approved in advance.
24. The activity is not for a commercial profit-making venture or for personal financial gain.
25. No District property shall be altered, moved, or rearranged without District approval.  All property of the organization must be immediately removed.  All trash shall be properly disposed of in accordance with District directions.
26. All charges must be paid in advance if requested or within 30 days of receipt of an invoice.  Payment shall be made to Creston Community School District at the address designated.
27. The organization agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless the District, its officials, agents, and employees from any and all claims or damages, including attorney fees and expenses, that may arise by reason of the organization’s use of the facilities and/or equipment or arising from any activity thereon by the organization, its officers, agents, employees, or invitees.