Overview of Legislation and Policy
The connection between communities and public education has been linked legislatively since the Federal Government began supporting the idea of the Common School in the 1830’s. Government funding and support of this connection has been documented throughout various forms of legislation on both the Federal and State level. Listed below are more recent pieces of legislation that outline the connection between the community and schools, as well as how funding can be obtained to establish long lasting relationships.
North Carolina Community Schools Act, 1977. Amended, 1981.
Intended “to encourage greater community involvement in the public schools and greater community use of public school facilities.”
Also, the Act encouraged "increased community involvement in the public schools and use of public school facilities" through recommending provisions for:
(1) "The use of public school facilities by governmental, charitable or civic organizations for activities within the community.
(2) The utilization of the talents and abilities of volunteers within the community for the enhancement of public school programs including tutoring, counseling and cultural programs and projects.
(3) Increased communications between the staff and faculty of the public schools, other community institutions and agencies, and citizens in the community."
State funding for this endeavor was terminated in 1995, and subsequent activity has had to be promoted and funded at the local level.
21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21stCCLC), 2005
Congress appropriated $991 million for these after-school programs, the focus of which is “to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing schools.” Click here for more information.
NCGS § 115C-12(35), 2009
Suggests that, “The State Board of Education shall encourage local boards of education to enter into agreements with local governments and other entities regarding the joint use of their facilities for physical activity. The agreements should delineate opportunities, guidelines, and the roles and responsibilities of the parties, including responsibilities for maintenance and liability.”
In 2015, to clarify the use of facilities for the sake of liability, “Agreement and Open Use Facilities” were defined. An Agreement occurs when the school reaches out to organizations in the community to use their facilities, such as a YMCA, whereas Open Use allows the use of school facilities in after school hours by members of the community, such as opening the track for members of the community who want to walk/run.
North Carolina Community Schools Act, 1977. Amended, 1981.
Intended “to encourage greater community involvement in the public schools and greater community use of public school facilities.”
Also, the Act encouraged "increased community involvement in the public schools and use of public school facilities" through recommending provisions for:
(1) "The use of public school facilities by governmental, charitable or civic organizations for activities within the community.
(2) The utilization of the talents and abilities of volunteers within the community for the enhancement of public school programs including tutoring, counseling and cultural programs and projects.
(3) Increased communications between the staff and faculty of the public schools, other community institutions and agencies, and citizens in the community."
State funding for this endeavor was terminated in 1995, and subsequent activity has had to be promoted and funded at the local level.
21st Century Community Learning Centers program (21stCCLC), 2005
Congress appropriated $991 million for these after-school programs, the focus of which is “to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing schools.” Click here for more information.
NCGS § 115C-12(35), 2009
Suggests that, “The State Board of Education shall encourage local boards of education to enter into agreements with local governments and other entities regarding the joint use of their facilities for physical activity. The agreements should delineate opportunities, guidelines, and the roles and responsibilities of the parties, including responsibilities for maintenance and liability.”
In 2015, to clarify the use of facilities for the sake of liability, “Agreement and Open Use Facilities” were defined. An Agreement occurs when the school reaches out to organizations in the community to use their facilities, such as a YMCA, whereas Open Use allows the use of school facilities in after school hours by members of the community, such as opening the track for members of the community who want to walk/run.
Observations
As of June 2017, the best avenue for obtaining the necessary funding for Joint-Use Facilities comes from partnerships between the school district and local businesses and non-profit organizations. Federal funding can be obtained through the 21stCCLC but requires a lengthy application process where established community connections must already be demonstrated and established. This is to say nothing of the recent shift in Federal Education policy and funding under the Trump administration. What is more, much of the legislation, past and present, is quite nebulous. As such, a great deal is left to the interpretation of the vested parties.