Following the Board of Education’s adoption of a new Facilities Use Policy, the district is implementing a new Facilities Use Handbook and an online system called Master Library Schedules (ML Schedules) where community groups can request the use of space. The policy emphasizes that while school use is first priority, the district’s buildings and grounds are a valuable community asset that should be available for use when possible.
For community organizations that use space in our schools (such as cafeterias and gyms), this will provide an online platform where you can see when and where space is available and request to reserve it.
This month, the district is reaching out to groups that currently use district facilities with information about registering with the new system and requesting space.
Based on the new policies and procedures, each organization will be assigned a Group Classification as follows:
- Class 1: Internal Curricular and Extracurricular Programs (Including Interscholastic Athletics)
- Class 2: District-Affiliated Partners (PTOs, SEPTA, Booster and Friends Groups, and N-CAP
- Class 3: Community nonprofits that serve district residents, including youth sports organizations (at least 75% of membership must be school district residents)
- Class 4: Organizations who are for profit and/or who serve external groups and non-resident groups
The levels determine which space is available, and when, as well as when facilities use charges may apply. The district’s approach is to provide priority to internal events and activities and to support community-based programming. Class 3 groups will only be charged for space when their use comes at a cost to the district (such as custodial overtime).
Community members can learn more at: https://www.niskayunaschools.org/community/ncsd-facilities-use-handbook/
Groups can access the new facilities use platform at https://ny134.mlschedules.com/.
Community Use of New Track and Turf Field
Any organized group use of the track and turf field at Niskayuna High School must be requested through the ML Schedules System. The track and field are open to individual community members when not in use by the school or a group that has reserved it. The track and field are not open when school is in session and can only be used by individual community members from dawn to dusk.