The Division understands the central role a school plays in the life of its community. The Division believes a school’s primary use is to serve the needs of its students, but also acknowledges the key role schools play in serving the needs of others in the community. The Division also recognizes that when schools are used to host a broad spectrum of activities there are numerous layers of responsibility of action and respect for persons and property that need to be considered prior to, during and after any event that occurs in any of its schools.
The Education Act requires that Divisions provide the equipment and facilities needed to deliver educational programs in schools, and establish procedures to maintain satisfactory standards of comfort, safety and sanitation for everyone who uses the schools. The Act also gives Divisions the power to define the uses to which school buildings, grounds and other Division property may be put, both during and outside regular school hours.
The Division:
• Supports and encourages the use of schools by groups that promote the educational, cultural and recreational aspects of community life.
• Supports previously established relationships with individuals or groups and their particular usage of the local school facility.
• Does not support the rental of space in a school, or of Division owned equipment, to any individual, company, firm or organization for commercial or monetary gain.
• Does not support the use of the school for an activity if such use has a negative impact on a business, or businesses in the community.
Reference: Sections 85, 87, 109, 110, 175 Education Act