BILL NUMBER: S8288A
SPONSOR: PERSAUD
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing for the use
of rooms within a public school at a reasonable rate
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To ensure that organizations that utilize school space for meetings and
events that benefit students and families in the community are not
charged more than a reasonable rate for the rental fee.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 2 of section 414 of the education law, as
amended by chapter 513 of the laws of 2005, adding "reasonable" inline
as "reasonable rental at least in an amount sufficient to cover all
resulting expenses..."
Section 2 includes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation seeks to amend the education law to mandate that public
schools charge a reasonable fee to community organizations using school
facilities for meetings and events. The legislation was brought about
after learning that a Girl Scout Troop - made up of students that go to
the NYC school - was being charged $3K to hold meetings in the school. A
fee they were forced to raise additional money to utilize the space.
This amendment is grounded in the principles of equitable access, commu-
nity engagement, and the responsible use of publicly funded infrastruc-
ture.
Public schools are cornerstones of the communities they serve. By offer-
ing affordable access to their facilities, schools can play a critical
role in fostering civic engagement, supporting local initiatives, and
encouraging a stronger sense of community identity. Community organiza-
tions-such as youth programs, neighborhood associations, cultural
groups, and nonprofits-often lack the resources to afford market-rate
rental fees. Ensuring access to school facilities at a reasonable cost
helps these organizations flourish and serve their intended populations
more effectively.
Public schools are funded by taxpayers and belong to the public. When
school buildings sit unused during evenings, weekends, or school holi-
days, valuable public space goes underutilized. This legislation aligns
with the principle that public assets should fully benefit the public.
Allowing low-cost community use ensures that these investments serve
educational and social functions beyond regular school hours.
Additionally, in many communities, especially underserved or low-income
areas, public school facilities are among the few accessible, safe, and
suitable venues for community gatherings. Charging high fees for their
use disproportionately affects these communities and can exclude those
who most need support. A reasonable fee structure helps remove barriers
and promotes equity in the use of public resources.
The legislation provides for the charging of a reasonable fee, recogniz-
ing that schools may incur modest costs for utilities, custodial
services, or security. It strikes a balance by allowing institutions to
recover reasonable expenses while still prioritizing community access
over revenue generation.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8288: 414 education law, 414(1) education law, 414(2) education law
S8288A: 414 education law, 414(2) education law