Abstract
Problem and purpose. California public schools continue to be challenged in their efforts to provide additional classroom space to house an exploding student population. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and occurrence of sharing facilities for public school use between public agencies and school districts in order to expand total resources used for public facilities. Methodology. This study used both a descriptive and an ex post facto research design. A total population of medium-sized school districts in California were surveyed regarding shared facility programs and a follow-up survey was sent to the public agencies identified by school districts as having the shared programs. Findings and conclusions. More than 80 percent of the medium-sized school districts in California participate in some kind of shared facility program. Nearly 70 percent of the sharing is done with cities with most of the sharing done with parks, playfields, and sports facilities. The least common sharing is done with commercial property and community/senior citizens centers. Forty-eight percent of the school districts reported cost advantages associated with sharing while only 19 percent reported additional costs related to the sharing. Both agencies and school districts reported a high rate of positive public relations and expanded opportunities for youth activity programs as a result of shared facility programs. The greatest problems associated with shared facility programs included the inability to control or track costs and disputes over scheduling. School superintendents were found most likely to introduce the concept of sharing while business managers were most likely to carry out the shared-use programs. Nearly all respondents reported that extra duties associated with shared programs were absorbed by existing staff. Recommendations. School districts should make an effort to work with public agencies to develop shared-use programs where possible in order to enhance their public image as efficient users of taxpayer dollars. Schools could especially focus on opportunities to share facilities for senior citizen programs in order to gain the support of this very important voting block. School districts will also find that shared-use programs do in fact provide cost savings in areas generally thought of as fixed costs, such as utilities. These costs are generally shared between agencies, which provides an opportunity for cost avoidance. Successful programs in shared use of facilities are generally supported by the school superintendent. As chief executive officer of school districts, superintendents must be informed and supportive of shared-use programs. Agreements must be well defined and regularly reviewed in order to assure that the original intent and benefits of sharing are continued.