Trustees ask staff to draft facility‑use policy as community car washes strain district water budget

The Cloverdale Unified School District superintendent told trustees the district is receiving frequent requests from outside organizations to use campus facilities for fundraisers such as car washes and said rising water costs mean the district should consider a formal facility‑use policy.

"We have a lot of community members and community groups that are putting in to use our facilities," the superintendent said, noting many events are not school‑sponsored and that water bills are "pretty high." Trustees discussed options including a flat fee, a rotating schedule that limits how often organizations may hold events, metering to track water use and enforcement concerns if multiple hoses are used.

One trustee said a flat fee would be easier to administer but cautioned that it could disadvantage smaller organizations. Another suggested limiting the number of car washes per year or using a rotation that favors longstanding community groups. Trustees noted that most car wash events occur in summer when school is not in session and that the district must weigh the revenue potential against the risk of higher operating costs or damage to fields.

The superintendent agreed to return with a sample policy at a future meeting. Trustees also discussed asking other districts for examples of how they handle similar requests and whether fundraising-related charges could appear on facility‑use forms rather than a standalone policy.

The board did not take formal action but directed staff to research feasible approaches and present draft language.