The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced a new partnership with a local startup to make public access to school venues more accessible after school hours.
Venyooz, a startup based in Los Angeles, has designed an online system for SMMUSD that will allow users to browse what spaces are available for use at each of the district’s 18 campuses.
“The website serves as marketplace for rentable spaces; any public entity, private business or nonprofit can list rentable spaces, and anyone who needs space … can easily search through the listings,” Venyooz said in a statement.
Along with easier accessibility, the new system is expected to provide added revenue opportunities for a school district faced with deep budget cuts should two key state propositions not pass on the November ballot.
“It’s a no-brainer,” said Board of Education President Ben Allen. “With budget cuts left and right, we’re looking for creative ways to bring in new revenues. Our schools have wonderful spaces that can be enjoyed and used by the community.”
California’s Civic Center Act requires public schools to provide facilities to the community for recreational activity use.