School facility permits

The challenge

Making school spaces available outside the school day involved paper forms and physical signatures. Families, nonprofits, and staff needed a clearer way to manage the process.

Our work

We researched facility-use costs and worked with SFUSD to overhaul its pricing policy. We then built an application where people can create accounts, select spaces and times, and generate a quote. Administrators can review requests and manage permits within the same system.

Policy research and facility pricing

We helped develop a pricing structure based on facility cost per square foot, direct staffing costs, and discounts for programs serving SFUSD children and families. The software applies that structure when generating a permit quote.

SFUSD introduced its tiered fee schedule in July 2014. Its account of the work also credits the UC Center for Cities and Schools for calculating facility-use costs.

SFUSD’s facility-use policy and fee structure↗

The policy context

California’s Civic Center Act provides a framework for community use of school facilities. In 2012, SB 1404 expanded the costs districts could recover to include a proportionate share of certain facility maintenance and repair expenses.

Read the 2012 SB 1404 legislation↗