CABOT – The Cabot school board wrote in the October 4 school newsletter that it has “after much discussion over several meetings, recently updated a policy on how and when community members can use the school facilities.”
They said the policy of the Cabot School District is to make school facilities available to individuals and community groups without discrimination in accordance with this policy, provided the facilities are preserved for regular school activities.
The policy says, ‘The superintendent may authorize the use of school facilities by community members for the following purposes, provided all relevant procedures are followed…’ There are then ten examples of uses that school facilities may be approved for. Many involve school and education related activities such as child care programs, meetings of parent-teacher and school booster organizations, employee professional organizations and instruction, including private tutoring and music lessons.
Social, civic and recreational meetings, civic forums and community centers, as well as entertainment may be held as long as they are open to the public. Fees may be charged when the proceeds are to be spent for an educational or charitable purpose.
Recreation, physical training and athletics, including competitive athletic contests for children and adults are permitted, as are groups such as the Future Farmers of America, Girls Scouts of America, Little League Baseball and other groups intended to serve youth under the age of 21.
The newsletter indicated, “the policy has not changed substantially and is consistent with other schools in the supervisory union.”
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
