RESERVE — A review of St. John the Baptist Parish School Board’s use-of-facility policy clearly outlines how nonprofit organizations can use School District facilities, the administration announced this week.

Public Schools Superintendent Kevin George informed School Board members of his findings during the Board’s regular meeting Thursday, explaining entities defined as “nonprofits” by the IRS are charged a $500 deposit to use school facilities during non-school hours.

Once the School District tabulates the cost to the District following the facility’s use, administrators would deduct the cost from the deposit and refund the rest back to the nonprofit’s organization.

The issue gained the attention of School Board members March 3 when the Board voted for a special, one-month lease to The Mission Church to use LaPlace Elementary School for weekend service use.

The vote followed nearly 20 minutes of discussion, legal opinion and numerous procedural votes as Board members debated the merits of different lease pricing for nonprofits versus for-profit enterprises, as well as the rationale for allowing faith-based organizations access to public school property.

Ultimately, Board members voted to lease the school to The Mission Church in March for $1,000.

On Thursday, George told Board members the School District would simply follow its nonprofit procedure concerning The Mission Church’s continued use of the school.

District 2 School Board Member Albert Burl said the School Board would review The Mission Church’s use of the school after a year.

In speaking in front of the School Board earlier this month, the Rev. Nick Peppo said The Mission Church’s goal is to have its own facility in the future.