Office of Realty - Policies and Procedures for Use of School Facilities and Grounds 

Contact

Office of Realty

Veronica L. Falwell, Realty Director

Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization

2400 East Capitol Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
(202) 442-5199 (office number)
(202) 698-7790 (fax number)

General Procedures for Use of School Facilities and Grounds

All persons and groups who wish to use DCPS space must complete the Application to Use Facilities.

Recommendation for approval or denial of the requested space by the school Principal is necessary before the Realty Office will process any application. 

All recommended applications must be submitted by the principal/school at least 20 business days prior to the proposed use. 

Applications can also be obtained at any area school or by contacting the Realty Office.

Applications received by the Realty Office less than five (5) business days prior to the proposed use will not be processed.

School-Related Organizations

The following groups may use buildings and grounds, except leased facilities, at a reduced rate during normal hours for purposes not conflicting with the school’s operations and not generating any additional costs to DCPS:

• PTA’s and HSA’s
• Local School Community Boards
• Parental and School Advisory Committees established pursuant to federal and local laws
• City-wide education organizations or local affiliates of national educational associations
• Organizations providing volunteer support services to the school.

HSA/PTA are entitled to four free meetings per year outside of the normal operating hours of their schools.

Current user fees will be charged for anyone not listed above.

Prohibited Uses of Buildings and Grounds

The following will NOT be permitted in any school facility at any time:

• smoking
• alcoholic beverages
• gambling
• discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, citizenship status, political affiliation, handicapped condition, or any other basis of unlawful discrimination under the laws of the District of Columbia
• any purpose that violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution
• no user or lessee shall be permitted to erect a sign on the exterior of the premises without prior written approval of the Chancellor

Insurance Requirements

Public liability coverage required is $1,000,000 per person for bodily injury and $3,000,000 maximum per accident. Property damage of $200,000 for any one accident and an aggregate of $500,000 are also required.

All users other than Government Agencies must sign the Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Form. It is mandatory that the insurance policy includes DC Public Schools as an additional insured party.

Security for Events

All requests for security must be made to the security office and submitted at least five days prior to the event, to afford the security office the time to ensure adequate coverage for the event by the security contractor.

Please contact Regina Waiters.
Email: regina.waiters@dc.gov
Phone: (202) 576-5031

Procedures for Submitting Use Facilities Application

Complete all information as requested on the Application to Use Facilities and leave the application with the Principal for recommendation or denial. Incomplete and/or unsigned applications will not be processed.

Upon approval or denial, the Realty Office will respond stating the terms and conditions of usage and costs associated with the usage.

Non-DCPS users and non-DC Government users must sign the Assumption of Risk and Indemnification Form and return it with a copy of a valid insurance certificate, and all payments to the DCPS Realty Office, prior to the commencement of the activity.

User Fee Schedule

Each classroom

• $ 35.00/day
• $ 360.00/month

Gymnasium or Auditorium

• children’s event: $ 70.00/day
• adult’s event: $137.00/day
• $480.00/month

Kitchen: $ 70.00/day *
Cafeteria: $100.00/day
Field/Stadium for soccer or other vigorous sport: $95.00/hour

* A DCPS Food Service worker must be on duty when food is prepared in kitchens or if kitchen equipment is used. There is an additional charge for these services. Please contact the DCPS Food Services Office for current costs at 202-576-7400.

Payments are by money orders or certified checks ONLY made payable to the D.C. Treasurer.

Additional Fees:

• Custodial overtime fee – varies (actual costs will be calculated by the Real Estate Office on a per hour basis)
• Security Services fee - $24.00/hour/officer

For additional information, please contact the DCPS Realty Office on (202) 442-5199.