It is the goal of the Northampton School Committee to ensure that all school facilities are adequately maintained and ready to serve the educational needs of the students attending the Northampton Public Schools. The School Committee is, in essence, the trustee of tangible resources placed in its care by the citizens of Northampton. Those resources should be made available to the community at large to the greatest extent possible. At the same time, the use of school facilities by the general public cannot be allowed to detract from the School Committee’s educational mission or place unnecessary burdens on the primary function of Northampton Public Schools.

All persons or organizations interested in using school facilities must complete a request through the School Dude platform. 

Building Use Fees:

Fees are set in the School Committee Policy based on User Categories below. Additional Service Fees may be charged for custodial service, computer lab usage, materials and utilities, high school auditorium stage fees, including use of the Theater Manager, sound system equipment, lighting and technical support. Insurance/Indemnification: All category “B”, “C” and “D” users will be required to furnish proof that they have a suitable liability insurance policy covering any and all claims, which may arise from the use of school facilities. Such insurance shall provide for minimum claim coverage of ONE MILLION DOLLARS ($1,000,000.00) per event.  The insurance requirement will be waived for category “A” users, provided that they furnish the Northampton School Department with a binding “Hold Harmless” liability agreement if the user is not a municipal agency.

User Categories:

In order to allow for the rational prioritization of uses, and the fees therefore, the following categories will be established:

A. Use by (1) MUNICIPAL agencies or (2) programs operated by non-profit organizations for the benefit of Northampton Public Schools or its students.

B. Use by other non-profit tax-exempt organizations located in Northampton, for non-commercial purposes, whose membership is composed primarily of Northampton residents. 

C. Use by other non-profit tax-exempt organizations, for non-commercial purposes.

D. All other uses. 

Verification that an applicant organization is a bona fide non-profit organization with tax-exempt 501 C (3) status may be required at the time of application. 

• Tobacco and alcohol are not permitted on the grounds or in the facilities of the Northampton Public School Department.

• Requests for use of the JFK Middle School Pool are managed through the City of Northampton Recreation Department.

• To find out when a Food Permit is required from the Board of Health, please read this memo.

• Crowd Manager Training
  • Events with over 100 people require special crowd manager training. 
  • A crowd manager is needed in facilities that feature entertainment by live bands or recorded music generating above-normal sound levels and which have a specific area designated for dancing.
  • For more information on crowd manager requirements or to take the online training program, please visit the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services website. 

Terri Dixon

Business Office Staff Assistant

Phone: (413) 587-1323

Fax: (413) 587-1318

Email Terri Dixon