Facility fee waived for groups that meet criteria
Published 6:00 pm Monday, April 16, 2018
<p class="p1"><strong>Why are non-school organizations allowed to use fields and equipment at schools without paying rent? Who oversees this practice?</strong></p><p class="p2">“Rent is/is not charged based on the facility that is being utilized,” Holly Holland, the school system’s spokeswoman, wrote in an email. </p><p class="p2">“We do have the discretion to waive rent at times, but the facility use must meet special criteria.”</p><p class="p2">She didn’t provide the criteria.</p><p class="p2">The School Board’s Risk Management Department oversees the use of facilities.</p><p class="p2">“The Calcasieu Parish School Board believes the functions of school buildings and grounds shall be to accommodate approved school programs for students and to assist in meeting community needs,” reads Section K of the School Board’s District Policy Manual.</p><p class="p2">“Use of school buildings by the community shall be considered a secondary function and shall be scheduled at times which do not interfere with regular school activities. Civic, religious, governmental, school organizations and Board approved groups may use school facilities.”</p><p class="p2">The policy requires all non-school groups to sign a lease agreement and provide officials with proof of liability insurance. Facilities can’t be used for political purposes.</p><p class="p2">The rental fee schedule, which is listed on the school system’s facilities use request form:</p><p class="p3">Auditorium — $250 a day or $125 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Conference room — $150 a day or $75 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Gym — $250 a day or $125 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Classrooms, one to five rooms — $150 a day or $75 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Classrooms, six or more rooms — $250 a day or $125 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Cafeterias — $150 a day or $75 for four hours or less.</p><p class="p3">Stadium — $400 a day.</p><p class="p5"><strong>Online:</strong> www.cpsb.org.</p><hr /><p class="p6"><strong>Who to call depends on the issue at hand</strong></p><p class="p1"><strong>Who do I contact about drainage issues?</strong></p><p class="p2">It depends on where you live and what the issue is.</p><p class="p2">The contact information for the drainage districts in Calcasieu Parish:</p><p class="p3">Ward 1 Gravity Drainage 8, Moss Bluff and Gillis — 855-4388.</p><p class="p3">Ward 2 Gravity Drainage 9, Bell City and Hayes — 513-8190.</p><p class="p3">Ward 3 Gravity Drainage 4, Lake Charles and south Lake Charles — 433-1160.</p><p class="p3">Ward 4 Gravity Drainage 5, Sulphur, Carlyss and Westlake — 625-3851.</p><p class="p3">Wards 5 and 6 Gravity Drainage 6, DeQuincy, Edgerly and Starks — 786-3228.</p><p class="p3">Ward 7 Gravity Drainage 2, Vinton and Toomey — 589-7536.</p><p class="p3">Ward 8 Gravity Drainage 7, Iowa and LeBleu Settlement — 582-6240.</p><p class="p2">Additionally, you could contact public works officials for the parish or the municipality you live in.</p><p class="p2">The number for the Calcasieu Parish Public Works Department is 721-3700. The number for the Lake Charles Public Works Department is 491-1220.</p><p class="p9"> </p>
<span class="s1">The I</span><span class="s2">nformer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is re</span>searched and written by <strong>Andrew Perzo</strong>, an <em>American Press</em> staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or ema<span class="s2">il informer@americanpress.com.</span>
