Policy committee approves tighter rules, fees for school facility rentals

The Ouachita Parish School System policy review committee on an unspecified date approved revisions to Policy KF that require compensation for use of district facilities and clarify the approval and application process for rentals.

Chair (committee) told the group the district "cannot just loan loan those out, and receive nothing in return. That that's against the law." Committee discussion focused on formalizing a fee schedule and clarifying the role of principals and central office staff in approving rentals. Staff said the fee schedule will be developed after policy approval and returned to the committee and then the full board for consideration.

Committee members and staff also clarified expectations for booster clubs: state law requires that recognized booster clubs have a current cooperative endeavor agreement and 501(c)(3) recognition; staff (Mary Perry and her team) are revising the MOU and are sending it to booster clubs. "State law requires that any outside organization which a booster club would be would have to have a current cooperative endeavor agreement," a committee member stated during the discussion.

The policy clarifies permitted public use of school grounds for walkers and other informal recreation (limited to daylight hours and times when classes or school-sponsored activities are not occurring) and routes routine approvals through school principals to the central office. The committee voted to approve the revisions by voice vote with no opposition. The committee chair said the approved policy will be presented to the full board at the August meeting.