Upon application of any responsible organization, or of a group of at least seven citizens, school premises, as that term is defined in section 3313.77 of the Revised Code, as well as all other buildings under the supervision and control of the state, or buildings maintained by taxation under the laws of this state, shall be available for use as social centers for the entertainment and education of the people, including the adult and youthful population, and for the discussion of all topics tending to the development of personal character and of civil welfare, and for religious exercises. Such occupation should not seriously infringe upon the original and necessary uses of such properties. The public officials in charge of such buildings shall prescribe such rules and regulations for their occupancy and use as will secure a fair, reasonable, and impartial use of the same.

(A) For purposes of this section: (1) “General public” means members of the community, including both of the following: (a) Students during nonschool hours; (b) Employees of a school or school district when not working in the scope of their employment. (2) “Nonschool hours” means both of the following: (a) Any time prior to and after regular classroom instruction on a day that school is in session; (b) Any day that school is not in session, including weekends, holidays, and vacation breaks. (3) “Recreational meetings and entertainments” means all indoor or outdoor games or physical activities, either organized or unorganized, that are undertaken for exercise, relaxation, diversion, sport, or pleasure. (4) “School premises” means all indoor and outdoor structures, facilities, and land owned, rented, or leased by a school or school district. (B) The board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district shall, upon request and the payment of a reasonable fee, subject to such regulation as is adopted by such board, permit the use of school premises, when not in actual use for school purposes, for any of the following purposes: (1) Giving instructions in any branch of education, learning, or the arts; (2) Holding educational, religious, civic, social, or recreational meetings and entertainments, and for such other purposes as promote the welfare of the community; provided such meetings and entertainments shall be nonexclusive and open to the general public; (3) Public library purposes, as a station for a public library, or as reading rooms; (4) Polling places, for holding elections and for the registration of voters, or for holding grange or similar meetings. The board of education of each school district shall adopt a policy for the use of school premises by the general public, including a list of all fees to be paid for the use of such premises and the costs used to determine such fees. Once adopted, the policy shall remain in effect until formally amended by the board. A copy of the policy shall be made available to any resident of the district upon request.

Upon application of a committee representing any candidate for public office or any regularly organized or recognized political party, the board of education having control of any school premises mentioned in section 3313.76 of the Revised Code, shall permit the same to be used as a place wherein to hold meetings of electors for the discussion of public questions and issues. No such meeting shall be held during regular school hours. No charge shall be made for such use, but the candidate or committee so holding a meeting shall be responsible for any damage done or expense incurred by reason thereof.

(5) Any facility used for a community school shall meet all health and safety Standard established by law for school buildings.

(C) In the case where a community school is proposed to be located in a facility owned by a school district or educational service center, the facility may not be used for such community school unless the district or service center board owning the facility enters into an agreement for the community school to utilize the facility. Use of the facility may be under any terms and conditions agreed to by the district or service center board and the school.

This document addresses community use of school facilities