The board of school trustees shall have the power to authorize the use of the schoolhouse for such civic, social, recreational and community gatherings as in its opinion do not interfere with the principal use of the said school building or property. It shall be the duty of the person or persons making application for the use of the schoolhouse for a public meeting place to see that the said schoolhouse after said meeting is in as clean a condition as it was before said meeting, and in case of failure upon the part of said person or persons to whom permission has been granted to hold the meetings to place said school after said meeting in as clean a condition as it was when said schoolhouse was turned over to said person or persons for said meeting, or the failure of the person or persons to respond in damages to any injury to the property, the ordinary wear and tear excepted, the board of school trustees shall refuse all further applications for the use of such schoolhouse by the same parties.

The purpose of this chapter is to encourage greater community involvement in the public schools and greater community use of public school facilities. To this end it is declared to be the policy of this state: (1) To provide for increased involvement by citizens in their local schools through community schools advisory committees. (2) To assure maximum use of public school facilities by the citizens of each community in this state. (3) To provide for increased involvement by business and industry in every school system through business/industry partnerships — adopt-a-school programs.

As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. A committee of citizens organized to advise community school coordinators, administrators, and local boards of education in the involvement of citizens in the educational process and in the use of public school facilities. (2) COMMUNITY SCHOOLS COORDINATOR. An employee of a local board of education whose responsibility it is to promote and direct maximum use of the public schools and public school facilities as centers for community education. (3) PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY. Any education facility under the jurisdiction of a local board of education, whether termed an elementary school, middle school, junior high school, or high school. (4) BUSINESS/INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS. A closely knit partnership consisting of a business and a selected Alabama public school. It is sharing of time, talent, expertise, and resources.

Every local board of education which elects to apply for funding pursuant to this chapter shall: (1) Develop programs and plans for increased community involvement in the public schools based upon policies and guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education. (2) Develop programs and plans for increased community use of public school facilities based upon policies and guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education.