I haven't.... but as a parent I would strongly object to unknown adults in the
school.

~Kat

"The early bird gets the worm, the second mouse gets the cheese."

<snip>

I'm with Kat on this. Plus, as a taxpayer I'd strongly object to the
equipment being used by people that it wasn't purchased for. It doesn't
matter that the students don't use it 75% of the time. That means it won't
wear out as fast or need as much maintanance which is also paid for by tax
dollars. I'd also be concerned about the school's liability if something
were to happen.

If this is something you want to do I'd suggest approaching your school
district's continuing ed department to see if an adult education fitness
class could be set up or even possibly official open gym time. There would
be a fee but it would most likely be considerably less than a gym
membership.

Greetings:

You seem to be posting from Germany. I can only speak for the United
States, and your post claims this occurred in California.

local highschool for free every day.  Apparently, the sports
department of
the school was well funded (of course), and they had a spiffy exercise
room
for the students.  He explained to me that he had approached the
schools
principle stating that he was a tax payer and that he had paid for the
equipment and that he should be allowed to use it since, 75 percent of
the
time, no students are using the equipment.<<
<<

That's a very old and specious argument.

In the United States, one can make that "claim" about any local, state
or federal facility -- the White House, the Pentagon,  City Hall. Yes,
taxpayers fund the facility, the equipment and the staffs' salaries,
but for the facility's stated purpose.

If that argument were valid, what would stop any taxpayer from using
the school's computers and phones to run a business after school is
out? Or the chemisty lab? Or the kitchen? Should the school nurse
treat any taxpayer off the street when she's not treating students?
Should one be allowed to ride on a school bus if there are seats
unoccupied by students?

Certainly, many schools and other public facilities make meeting space
and equipment available to groups, but usually for a fee and under
very controlled circumstances. And some well-equipped schools will
make exercise facilities, especially swimming pools, available to
certain segments of the local population, such as senior citizens,
again under very controlled circumstances.

But the claim has no basis in fact, law or reality. Think of the
liability issues alone that would arise, not to mention the wear and
tear, cleanup problems, security concerns and potential for vandalism,
theft and illicit activity.

As always, YMMV.

Kasey
365/266/???

The weight room at our local H.S. is open to the public most evenings and
the indoor track is open early in the morning before school.  The pool is
open at some point when the swim teams and local swim club aren't
practicing.  It was one of the agreements made when they passed the
referendum to build the facilities.  The weight room is full of teenagers
and parents with their 10 year olds most every night so I prefer the gym.
It's less than $1 a day and the hours are more flexible.

Jenn