Facility Use Permits

TO:     Those persons who rent facilities from the Berea City School District (Building Permit Holders)

Dear Friends:

As you may know, in 1983 the school districts lost their sovereign immunity as a result of action the Ohio Supreme Court.  The result of this action has caused great concern among school districts and city governments throughout the state, who, after years of being protected by sovereign immunity, find themselves vulnerable to prosecution.  The limits for liability insurance available to school districts are not nearly adequate to cover the exposure.

As a result of this insurance liability problem, the Board of Education finds it necessary to require groups or organizations such as yours to furnish the Business Office with a copy of a general liability insurance binder prior to the issuance of a Building Permit.  This binder must name the Berea City School District, its officers and employees, as ADDITIONAL INSURED, and the amount of this general liability policy shall be at least $1,000,000.00 per occurrence for bodily injury, property damage claims.  Many insurance carriers are used to issuing this sort of insurance binder, (such as ACORD FORM 25).  The coverage limit may be higher for some functions.

We are extremely sorry that it has become necessary for the school district to take this action but it is necessary in order to protect the educational program.  For many years this school district has opened wide its doors to low cost community use of its facilities without any major difficulties.  Now the law and the time dictate we must pursue another avenue to protect your interests and your school district.

For information regarding Permits, please contact Deb Summers @ dsummers@bereaschools.org

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.