To allow school district staff to administer community organizations' use of school facilities, school boards should set strong but flexible policies on such use, as has the Akron (OH) Board of Education. Although Ohio law allows schools to be used for a wide range of social, recreational, and religious activities, the board--acknowledging its instructional mission--restricts building use and charges user fees. Prohibited uses include (1) activities that may endanger school property; (2) gambling for any purpose; (3) activities not complying with safety regulations; (4) activities competing with local businesses; (5) activities "not in the public interest"; and (6) smoking and using or advertising alcoholic beverages. The superintendent may, however, make exceptions to these rules with board approval. Rental fees cover costs incurred by the users, primarily overtime pay for custodians. Many users, however, are wholly or partially exempt from charges, particularly groups directly related to the schools. Others pay either "noncommercial" or "commercial" rates, depending on whether or not they conduct fundraising events. In 1983 various groups rented the district's buildings for about 6,000 hours, paying over $100,000 in rent. (MCG)