School district facilities and equipment will be made available to local nonprofit entities which promote cultural, educational, civic, community, or recreational activities. "Entity(ies)" will include organizations, groups and individuals and their agents. Any district employee using district-owned property or facilities for a use outside their duties as an employee is doing so as a community member, and not as a district employee. Prior to using district resources for activities outside the scope of their job duties, employees must meet the requirements to be considered a qualifying entity. Such use will be permitted only when the use does not interfere with or disrupt the education 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 that wish to use school district facilities or equipment must apply at the activities director’s office at the Forest City High School. It is the responsibility of the 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 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. 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 equipment, or sites must leave the building or site in the same 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.

Legal Reference:
Iowa Code §§ 8D; 123.46; 276; 278.1(4); 279.8; 297.9-.11.

Cross Reference: 905.1
704 Revenue

Approved 4-13-98
Reviewed  _________
Revised ____4-12-21

Tobacco and nicotine use is prohibited on school district facilities and grounds including school vehicles. 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 the administration to enforce this policy.

Legal Reference:
20 U.S.C. 6083
Iowa Code §§ 142D; 279.8, .9; 297.

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

Approved: 11-9-87
Reviewed: _____
Revised: 4-12-21

The board believes weapons, other dangerous objects and look-alikes 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-alikes 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-alikes 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. 

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: 9-14-21 Reviewed: _____ Revised: ____