934                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 405

97. Use of school property for other than school purposes.

The use of public school facilities for community purposes shall
be encouraged by the county boards of education. When written
application has been made to the superintendent of schools, the
county board may SHALL provide for the use of the public school
facilities for the presentation and discussion of public questions,
public speaking, lectures, or for other civic, educational, social, or
recreational purposes OR CHURCH AFFILIATED CIVIC PUR-
POSES, provided, however, that (a) such gatherings or meetings
shall be open to the public; AND (b) the county board may refuse
the use of any school facility for the purposes stated above if it
appears that such use may be likely to provoke or add to a public riot
or breach of the peace, or create a clear and present danger to the
peace and welfare of the county of the State; (c) the. THE county
board may permit a partisan political organization which has polled
ten per cent or more of the entire vote cast in the State in the last
preceding general election to use public school facilities for programs
and meetings in relation to a political campaign for nomination or
election to public office of any candidate or candidates; and provided
further that the. THE county board of education is hereby authorized
to allow, at its discretion, the use of public school facilities for religi-
ous purposes upon the usual application and conditions while buildings
in which religious services are usually conducted are being renovated,
repaired, or built. The, PROVIDED THE use of such facilities is to
be temporary only and to AND SHALL cease as soon as the buildings
ordinarily used are renovated, repaired, or built. Said school facilities
are to be used for said purposes ANY OF THE PURPOSES AU-
THORIZED BY THIS SECTION only at such times as will not
interfere with regular school sessions or other bona fide school activi-
ties and upon written application to the county superintendent of

schools.

98. Liability for damages resulting from use of school property for
other than school purposes; restoring to cleanliness after
meeting.

The person or persons making application for the use of school
facilities for a public meeting shall be responsible for all damage
to the property occurring at such meeting, ordinary wear and tear
excepted, and upon failure of the person or persons to respond in
damages for any such injury to the property, the county board of
education may refuse all future applications by said person or per-
sons for the use of the property until such injury is repaired, without
expense to the board in charge of the property. It shall be the duty