State law encourages and/or incentivizes the community use of school buildings and property for recreation or other purposes.
The board of education of any district may join with the governing body of any municipality, or the board of chosen freeholders of the county in which the district is located, in acquiring, improving, equipping, operating and maintaining playgrounds, playfields, gymnasiums, public baths, swimming pools, and indoor recreation centers, and may appropriate money therefor and may pay over to the said body or board such money as may be so appropriated to be disbursed for any of such joint purposes.
Policy TypeThe board of education of any district may, pursuant to rules adopted by it, permit the use of any schoolhouse and rooms therein, and the grounds and other property of the district, when not in use for school purposes, for any of the following purposes: a. The assembly of persons for the purpose of giving and receiving instruction in any branch of education, learning, or the arts, including the science of agriculture, horticulture, and floriculture; b. Public library purposes or stations of public libraries; c. The holding of such social, civic, and recreational meetings and entertainments and such other purposes as may be approved by the board; d. Such meetings, entertainments, and occasions where admission fees are charged as may be approved by the board; e. Polling places, holding elections, registration of voters, and holding political meetings; f. Child care services provided by the board of education, or a board approved sponsor, or a child care program licensed pursuant to P.L. 1983, c. 492 (C. 30:5B-1 et seq.), before or after regular school hours, for any school aged child who attends school within the school district.