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Joint Use Public schools are, first and foremost, centers of teaching and learning, but they also can serve as hubs of active civic life in vibrant communities. Sharing school space with non-school users can yield educational, economic, and environmental benefits for both districts and communities. This innovative practice of joint use, however, must be grounded in fair, transparent policies that are driven by accurate financial data and aligned with the larger municipal planning framework.
Developed by the 21st Century School Fund and the Center for Cities and Schools at UC Berkeley, this site provides tools and resources to help leaders and managers learn about, determine, and implement the most effective joint use policy for their district.
Examples of Joint Use-- National : Organization: Center for Cities and Schools, Berkeley, CA [ abstract] The joint use of public school facilities can be a win–win situation for both schools and communities. While these arrangements are still on the cutting edge, several districts have forged successful joint use policies, partnerships, and procedures, and they have shared best practices and lessons learned along the way. Explore the examples below to see how joint use policies have been crafted, put into practice, and had an impact on schools and communities around the country.
- Joint Use School Partnerships in California. This report looks at three cases of joint use partnerships: 1) opening existing school yards for public use in San Francisco; 2) building new joint use gymnasiums in Rosemead; and 3) building a joint use child development center in Clovis. The report includes key lessons learned and recommended steps to crafting effective joint use partnerships.
- Partnerships for Joint Use: Expanding the Use of Public School Infrastructure. This study from the Council of Educational Facility Planners International categorizes types of joint use in California school districts; describes the challenges and lessons learned in joint use partnerships; and offers policy, procedural, and research recommendations.
- San Francisco’s Public School Facilities as Public Assets: This report presents findings from a year-long public process to establish a more effective joint use strategy in San Francisco. It includes: 1) detailed descriptions and diagrams of school facility policies and processes; 2) findings on current utilization, management, policy, and budget; and 3) policy recommendations that align with the district’s goals and encourage a culture of community use.
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Joint Use of Public Schools: A Framework for a New Social Contract-- National [ abstract] There is growing demand for joint use of public school facilities as a way to:
- Create innovative educational programs that enhance school quality
- Provide space for physical activity
- Build accessible, environmentally-friendly “complete communities”
- Leverage school districts’ financial investments
However, implementing and sustaining a joint use initiative can present ongoing challenges to school and community leaders.
Joint Use of Public Schools: A Framework for a New Social Contract outlines the basic elements that policymakers and practitioners need to know when planning these types of collaborations:
- Factors driving demand for joint use
- Types of users, scenarios, and schedules involved in joint use
- Benefits for school districts, communities, and other sectors
- Potential obstacles to successful implementation
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Policy Framework for Joint Use: Enabling and Supporting Community Use of K-12 Public School Facilities-- National [ abstract] The 21st Century School Fund and the Center for Cities & Schools have released a new paper, A Policy Framework for Joint Use: Enabling and Supporting Community Use of K-12 Public School Facilities. Joint use of public school facilities is a complex but manageable approach to efficiently enhancing the services and programs available to students and supporting the community use of public schools. Building upon on their 2010 paper titled Joint Use of Public Schools: A Framework for a New Social Contract, the authors provide policy guidance for harnessing the opportunities and benefits of joint use.
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School Facilities Cost Calculator: A Joint-Use Tool for Fair Fees-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund, Washington, DC [ abstract] The joint use of public school facilities offers educational, economic, and environmental benefits for both schools and communities. But determining the real costs of owning and operating facilities and creating a fair fee structure that covers those costs can be a challenge for districts.
The School Facilities Cost Calculator: A Joint-Use Tool for Fair Fees provides step-by-step guidance in crafting effective, transparent joint-use fees based on district policy. The calculator is available as a web-based tool or as an excel spreadsheet format. This easy-to-use, adaptable calculator helps school system leaders:
1) Identify all facility-related expenditures in their district
2) Calculate the full cost of ownership on a per-square-foot and per-hour basis
3) Formulate a multi-tiered fee structure for different types of community users
The web-based version of the calculator is preloaded with rich data from 15,000 school districts around the country. And you can save your session.
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