Bigrobkerr wrote:
You have every right to run on a public track. If they lock the gates after hours and you want to run or take your family to run, you should file a complaint. There is no reason the public should not be able to access a public track, that makes absolutely no sense. If the gates are locked that means the school likely decided to do that not the county or state. People can’t steal track and bleachers I’m not sure why they would do something like that .
You should have every right to run on a public school track but the reality is we don't! This is especially true if the track is part of a football stadium with bleachers and is gated. I live near the HS I actually graduated from 40 yrs ago. Same track and football stadium with bleacher/press box upgrades and a bigger more secure fence around the track. Signs posted prohibiting the use of the track and trespassers will be prosecuted. No other ungated tracks within this school district.
Several years ago I called the AD of the HS and asked if I could use the track on weekends particularly on Sunday when it wouldn't interfere with any school activities. I was basically told to pound sand and that because it was a secured gated facility there's no way I could use it. I got a little pissed and told the AD that I pay school taxes and all that. He just laughed and said it doesn't matter stating that "taxpayers just can't waltz into the school and shoot baskets because the school has a basketball court." He impressed on me that a secured facility means no public use. Still pissed off he said I could take it up at the next school board meeting.
So, instead of going to a school board meeting I was actually able to speak with one of the school board members over the phone. He was a little more diplomatic stating that if they allowed me to use the track the district would be obligated to let everyone else use it. They said this could run into security issues and the potential of the facility being damaged and so forth. He also mentioned liability issues if I were to get hurt while using the track. I wasn't happy with the answers and his lack of motivation to work something out. Again, I impressed on him that I'm a taxpayer with half of my county property tax going to school district. He said sorry and that's about it.
So, it seems you can't fight the school district much like you can't fight city hall (as the saying goes). It's funny that every few years or so this particular school district whines & cries for voters to approve tax increases/bond issues for more school revenue. And they would expect me to graciously vote for these increases but yet I can't even use their outdoor track on weekends when it doesn't interfere with school activities. Go figure!