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.