Rules and Regulations

These rules are designed to promote the community use of school district facilities while avoiding conflict with the appropriate conduct of the district's educational program and reducing district liability. Organizations and groups using school district facilities agree to abide by the following rules:

1. Application. An application must be submitted online.
2. Athletic/Playing Fields. Any organized group wishing to use district athletic or playing fields must file an application in accordance with established district procedures. Any such use must be appropriate and compatible with the field and its surrounding area. Unauthorized use of district fields by organized groups constitutes trespassing and will be dealt with accordingly. Casual use of fields is permitted as long as those uses do not endanger others or cause damage to fields and lawns. User groups may not mark or otherwise modify fields without written district approval.
3. Final Approval. The superintendent has the authority to make the final decision on use of school facilities by any group. However, any group may appeal a decision to the board of directors.
4. Access. Applications are approved for specific rooms/facilities/spaces and times. School facilities are opened by the responsible custodian only upon the presentation of an approved application. The user organization is responsible for ensuring that unauthorized portions of the building are not entered and that the premises are vacated as scheduled.
5. Area and Time Schedule. Use of facilities is restricted to the approved area and specified time period.
6. Duration of Rental. Evening rental fees cover a period not to extend beyond 10:00PM. Facilities are not available for use before 8:00AM on non-school days.
7. Fees. The superintendent determines and recommends a fee scheduled for use of district facilities. The fee schedule is reviewed and revised annually as appropriate.
8. Additional Charges. Charges may be levied to cover the cost of additional services not covered in the original agreement. Additional charges may also be levied for damages and/or agreement violations.
9. District Staffing. A custodian or other authorized district employee must be on the premises during any use of a district facility by a non-school group.
10. Custodial Services. Custodial services are restricted to unlocking and locking doors, operating lights, providing heat, setting up chairs, and performing routine cleanup. Groups for which rental costs and/or other charges are waived in part of in full must assist the custodian in setting up and removing chairs and in performing routine cleanup.
11. Food Service. If kitchen facilities are used to prepare a meal (using district cooking and dishwashing equipment, ranges, etc.) a regular district food service employee must be in attendance with actual wages and benefits charged to the user organization.
12. Priority Uses. District or school organization activities have first preference for all district facilities. Non-school applications are superseded in any instance where facilities are needed for school activities.
13. Holidays. School holidays may preclude facilities utilization.
14. Prejudicial Use. Permits will not be granted for any meeting which, in the judgement of the district, may be prejudicial to the best interest of the schools or educational system or for which satisfactory sponsorship is not provided. All permits are revocable and are not considered as a lease.
15. Cancellation by District. It is understood and agreed by the applicant that permission may be revoked or cancelled at any time with or without cause and that in the event of such revocation or cancellation there shall be no claim or right to damage or reimbursement on account of any loss, damage or expense incurred.
16. Indemnification and Hold Harmless Provision. The User agrees to protect, indemnify and hold harmless the District, its elected and appointed officials, employees, agents and staff from any and all claim, liabilities, damages, expenses, or rights of action, directly or indirectly attributable to the User's activities and/or use of premises in connection with this agreement.
17. Insurance. The District requires a Certificate of Insurance providing liability coverage for a specific activity on school premises. However, those groups which fall under Group C must provide proof of insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance written with limits of $1,000,000 combined single limits, per occurrence, and naming the District as an additional insured. Bethel School District can provide information on how to obtain Special Events Insurance if the group does not carry insurance.
18. Supervision. User organizations must provide sufficient, qualified adult supervision for any scheduled youth activity.
19. Decorations and Alterations. Plans for decorating must be approved in advance by the building administrator. Decorations that permanently alter the appearance of or cause damage to the facility are prohibited. All decorations must be removed immediately upon completion of the event.
20. Restoration of Facilities. All school facilities are to be left in appropriate condition immediately following each activity. Appropriate athletic shoes will be required for all indoor athletic activities.
21. Purpose. Purpose of use must be as stated on the application: deviation will be considered a breach of contract and may result in denial of future use of school facilities.
22. Public Dances. School facilities are not available for public dances.
23. Smoking, Drinking, Disorderly Conduct. Smoking is not permitted in school buildings. No alcoholic beverages are to be brought to or consumed in a school building or on school grounds. Disorderly conduct and willful destruction of property are forbidden. Violators will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
24. Prohibited Organizations. Organizations which advocate the violent overthrow of the government or its institutions or violations of its laws, or which promote any form of discrimination are excluded from utilizing district facilities. Facilities are restricted to use by groups or organization and not by individuals.
25. Crowd Control. When large crowds are anticipated, it is the responsibility of the user organization to notify local law enforcement agencies for assistance in traffic and crowd control. A crowd control plan is to be submitted by the user group prior to the scheduled event.
26. User Organization Responsibility. The user organization is responsible for the enforcement of the above regulations and is responsible for all participants, spectators, and affiliated personnel.