General Policy
The Northeast Technology Center (NTC) will permit use of its facilities by educational, political, literary, cultural, religious, scientific, Business and Industry, civic or recreational community organizations provided that:

1. The intended use of the facility by the organization meets certain established criteria; and

2. When required, a previously established fee is paid by the organization.

Facility use is subject to all applicable state laws, rules, regulations, and district policies. This policy defines the responsibilities and limitations of Northeast Tech in responding to requests for use of facilities. This policy shall be applied in an impartial and consistent manner to all constituents

Providing every student with the best education possible is the primary function and responsibility of the Board. Therefore, NTC related functions will be given priority when it is necessary to use NTC facilities. However, the Board is also vitally interested in helping out-of-school activities which support and supplement the efforts of NTC.

NTC facilities are often useful in carrying on the activities of various non-school organizations. Since many constructive educational activities take place outside the classroom, the administration should do as much as possible to encourage and aid the commendable efforts of many parents and citizens who work with youth to attain objectives which are similar to the goals of NTC.

Permitted Use
Permission for use of school facilities belonging to NTC may be granted to educational, political, literary, cultural, religious, scientific, Business and Industry, civic or recreational organizations for purposes and programs which:

1. Are beneficial to the community and to the programs NTC;

2. Are acceptable to the Superintendent; and

3. Do not result in an increased tax burden on the citizens of NTC District.

Priority Use
The Superintendent or his designee is to determine whether the proposed use of the building will conflict with scheduled NTC programs and is to monitor the building for signs of misuse or abuse.

Prohibited Use
NTC facilities will not be used for:

1. Meetings which promote subversive teachings and doctrines contrary to the spirit of American institutions;

2. Activities tending to cause unrest in the community or which reflect upon promoting discrimination against citizens of the United States because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender expression or identity, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, age, or genetic information in its programs, services, activities and employment;

3. Any activity that may violate the patterns of good taste, manners or morals, or be destructive or injurious to the buildings, grounds or equipment; or

4. Any purpose in conflict with NTC objectives or not approved by the Superintendent.

Political Programs and Activities

Political programs and activities are subject to all enumerated provisions of Northeast Tech’s facilities use policy. Northeast Tech facilities may not be used in any manner to involve Northeast Tech as endorsing a political, ethnic, sectarian, or religious position. Facilities may not be used for political fundraising activities where solicitations of funds, donations, or similar activities take place. Northeast Tech facilities are not available to organizations for partisan political programs, receptions, fundraisers, or similar activities, and political campaign materials supporting any federal, state, or local political party or individual politician may not be posted or otherwise distributed on Northeast Tech property.

Advertising and Promotion
Organizations may not use Northeast Tech’s name, seal, logo, or other district identification in advertising or promotional literature that states or implies such sanction or sponsorship of the event – except to list the location of the program or event – without written consent of Northeast Tech’s superintendent or designee.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco and Dangerous Weapons
The use or possession of alcoholic beverages, beer, or controlled substances (drugs) will not be permitted on district property. Those using district facilities for any purpose are expected to comply with applicable laws and Northeast Tech policies concerning the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes as well as those applicable to dangerous weapons, including handguns on district property. Individuals with a valid concealed or open-carry handgun license must comply with applicable state and federal laws regarding the possession and storage of handguns. Handguns, when in the legal possession of an individual, with limited exceptions are restricted to a vehicle in the district’s parking lot and must not be brought onto any other district property or into district buildings, offices, or other structures, absent the written consent of the superintendent.

The use of intoxicating liquor or beverages will not be permitted on school property. Smoking will be permitted in areas designated as “smoking areas” by the Assistant Superintendent in charge of the building where proper precautions have been taken to protect against fire and where receptacles for ashes are provided.

Procedures for Use of NTC Facilities
Application
All individuals and organizations must apply in writing to the pertinent Campus Director’s office at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the meeting requested. In contrast, Business & Industry (BIS) related facility use is coordinated and arranged through the Business & Industry Services Division.
The Board delegates authority to the Superintendent/Business Manager to make minor adjustments in the total costs as compared to the encumbrance authorized by an amount not to exceed ten percent.

If the request is one with regularly occurring dates, approval may be given for the entire schedule. Should a conflict develop with a school activity, NTC reserves the right to cancel the permission granted or to suggest a change to a mutually satisfactory date and time.

Although application by a minor is not acceptable, this does not prohibit the use of NTC premises by them, provided the application is made by a competent adult who will supervise and be responsible for the group.

Payment in Advance
All payments for the use of NTC facilities must be received at the office of the Campus Director at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting time. Payment can be made by credit card, cash, business check or purchase order. Any outstanding balance of the account will be due and payable upon receipt of a Northeast Tech invoice. If paying by purchase order, payment must be received net/45 days. Individuals and organizations that have outstanding balances may not schedule future events until outstanding balances are paid in full.

Responsibility of Applicant
The applicant and his/her organization will be held responsible for the proper use of the building, for the conduct of persons attending the meeting, and will see to it that activities are confined to the areas requested and to the hours agreed upon in the application. The applicant will indemnify NTC for any theft, loss or damage to school property over and above normal wear which might be expected from his/her use thereof, and will make prompt payment for such theft, loss or damage. An indemnity bond or a deposit may be required if circumstances warrant. It is required that users of NTC facilities will see that the activities are conducted at all times under competent adult supervision. The Superintendent or his designee will be the judge of unwarranted damages to NTC property.

All rooms or areas will be left in as good condition as they were found, except the usual accumulation resulting from normal building use. No applicant may sublet any part of the building area named in the application request. All applications for repetitious use of NTC facilities will be renewed at the beginning of each school year and are subject to review by the Superintendent.

Users of NTC property must assume responsibility for the safety and protection of the audience, workmen and participants to the extent required by law. The Superintendent has the right to require minimum limits of public liability and property damage insurance for all groups using any NTC facility, and to require that there be evidence presented to the Superintendent in the form of a certificate of insurance, showing Northeast Technology Center of Mayes County, Oklahoma, as an additional named insured.

Time Limits & Holidays
The Superintendent or designee of Northeast Technology Center shall approve times for all meetings on school property. As a general rule, Northeast Tech properties will not be available for use by outside organizations on school or national holidays. Should one or more meetings approved as a series of meetings fall on such days, such meeting dates will be automatically cancelled for these days only. The Superintendent may, in his/her best judgment, authorize limited exceptions to this rule for good cause shown.

Cancellations
Requests for cancellation of the use of NTC facilities must be received at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting time. Failure to do so will obligate the applicant and his/her organization to pay for all custodial and such other expenses as are incurred in opening the building for this use.

Cancellation of permission may be ordered whenever such action is deemed in the best interest of NTC. However, such cancellations will not be made except when unforeseen emergencies arise, and then with as much advance notice as possible. Permission may be canceled by the Superintendent if conduct or infraction of regulations warrant.

Non-School Days
NTC facilities will be available on non-school days, such as weekends and summer months, provided proper application is made and approved by the Superintendent and provided such use is not a conflict with use of the facilities by school organizations or students.

Charges
Charges made for use of NTC facilities are not rentals as that term is generally used, but are based on the cost of operating expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred, such as utilities, supplies, maintenance of facilities, custodial and cafeteria services, as well as clerical services necessary to process each application. Such reimbursement charges are subject to change as the Superintendent may deem necessary. With prior permission of the Board of Education, a fee in excess of operating expenses may be charged to a facilities user if such user is using school property as a part of a profit-making operation. Such fee will be set by the Board of Education after recommendation of the Superintendent.

Fee Schedule
The fees for use of Northeast Tech facilities are based on the number of guests who will be utilizing the reserved space. The fee structure is as follows: $60 per hour.

Should additional set-up or room preparation be required (ex. setting up tables, arranging chairs, etc.) an additional $25.00 per hour custodial fee will be assessed for use of the space.

Building Use without Charge
School organizations such as student organizations, school employee groups and educational organizations, such as the OEA, School Board organizations as well as civic and community groups, non-profit and 501(c)3 organizations, etc., may be granted building use without charge as long as such use does not conflict with regular school sessions.

If there should be additional meetings of the above-mentioned school-affiliated and youth-serving organizations, they will be charged for custodial services and Food Service employee services as required, according to the regular fee as determined by the Superintendent.

Organizations which qualify for use of meeting space without charge on weekdays will be charged regular rates for meetings held on Saturdays and Sundays and for weekday meetings which extend beyond 10:00 p.m., for use of facilities.

Custodial Care
A NTC custodian is assigned for continuous duty during the time the group will be using the NTC facility. The custodian will return to open the building prior to the time set for the meeting, arrange the requested facilities and serve as the official representative of NTC. No one except the qualified custodian will be allowed to operate or adjust equipment in the building. Upon conclusion of the meeting the custodian will clean and properly arrange the facilities. In situations in which the meeting does not materialize and has not been previously canceled, the custodian will remain on duty for one hour after the requested starting time of the meeting and, if no word is received within that period indicating a later starting time, he/she will lock the building.

Custodians are instructed not to open any areas other than those required in the application. Emergency needs may be requested by telephone. Additional space may be arranged by filing an additional application.

Equipment
Requests to use public address systems, projection equipment and screens, spotlights, and so forth will be included in the application. The costs of transparencies and copying are to be paid by the using groups. All such equipment and properties will be operated, moved and controlled only by persons specifically designated by the Campus Director.

Classroom equipment, such as shop tools and machinery, business education, data processing equipment which is regularly used for school instruction will not be available for use by non-school groups.

NTC equipment is not available for use off NTC premises unless it is beneficial to the District in carrying forward its programs.

Snack Bar Area
Use of Snack Bar Area will be granted with or without use of kitchen facilities. No organization will have access to the Snack Bar area unless the Snack Bar Operator is present and in. In planning an event which will use the Snack Bar equipment, the Snack Bar Operator, and whatever number of helpers is deemed necessary, must all be involved in the planning, operation and supervision of such project. Because of the food supplies and expensive equipment, and because of the rigid requirements of health and sanitation authorities, the use of Snack Bar facilities must be under the direct control of the Snack Bar Operator.

Refreshments will be served only in Snack Bar area, unless other areas have been approved by the Superintendent.

Concessions
Concession rights at all NTC facilities are reserved for this Technology Center.

Interpretation of the Policy and Procedures
The Superintendent shall interpret and enforce all provisions of this policy and procedures.

Amended by the Board of Education, June 28, 1999
Amended December 3, 2007
Amended September 10, 2018
Amended September 14, 2020