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Committee discusses funerals in school facilities, security and eligibility
Summary
Committee members and staff reviewed district policy language (OS 29 and OE 8) that allows funerals or celebrations of life on a case-by-case basis, heard that the district receives fewer than 20 funeral-related requests a year, and discussed security and custodial requirements for off-hours events.
A staff member introduced a discussion on the district’s practice for funerals and celebrations of life in school buildings, citing OS 29 (use of school facilities) and OE 8 (facilities) and saying that funerals are considered on a case-by-case basis subject to superintendent approval.
"That is our staff directive," the staff member said, summarizing the policy evolution from earlier prohibitions to a practice that allows events for students, staff or community members but discourages caskets on campus and generally limits events to noninstructional hours.
Committee members asked whether requests should be limited to people with explicit ties to the district — former or current students or employees — and raised concerns about security after recent shootings. One committee member noted the potential for a funeral to draw participants who might create safety risks and said that private businesses (funeral homes) could view use of public facilities as competition in some jurisdictions.
Brandy Majors, who manages the district’s facility-use program, told the committee the district receives fewer than 20 funeral requests annually and that in the last 60 days there were three requests; one request was held at Beaufort High School’s Performing Arts Center on a Saturday outside of normal hours. "We presented pricing to them, what cost would be, and service support would be needed," she said, and noted that scheduling conflicts sometimes prevent approval.
Majors said the district generally does not require security for funerals unless crowd size or event type warrants it. She added that athletic rentals are required to have private armed security and that custodial coverage is required for off-hours rentals.
Members said the board might consider requiring additional security in light of a nearby shooting but acknowledged the superintendent and designee retain authority to approve or deny facility-use requests. The committee did not change policy at the information meeting and there was no formal vote on funerals.
What happens next: staff will continue to field requests subject to existing policy, and the board may return to the issue for further direction if members request a formal policy review.
