6804 Policy – District Office Café Operation

Bellingham Public Schools, having found the operation of a café described herein is not in conflict with other law, promotes the education of pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade students, and promotes the efficient and effective operation of the district, hereby authorizes, pursuant to RCW 28A.320.015 and Policy 1310, the operation of a café. The purpose of the operation of the café is to create a welcoming and communal environment for district employees, parents, visitors and members of the community. Such a welcoming and communal environment will foster positive morale among district employees and encourage parent and community engagement with the district.

The café will be located inside the District Office building and/or such other locations determined by the superintendent or designee. The café will be open to district employees, parents, visitors and members of the public.

District administration may purchase appropriate equipment and supplies required for operation of the café and may invite and contract with skilled vendors in the community to operate the café as an independent contractor.

All necessary business licenses and health permits required for the district’s operation of the café will be obtained and kept current. District administration will secure any additional liability and other insurance required for operation of this program. The café will be separate and distinct from the district’s food services program and will not be operated for the purpose of providing meals to district students.

The superintendent or designee may adopt and, from time to time, revise a vendor agreement for a vendor’s operation of the café on behalf of the district.

The district may choose not to operate a café or to discontinue its operation of a café if deemed in the best interests of the district by the superintendent or designee.  Under these circumstances, the district may still allow use of available district facilities by third parties to operate a café in accordance with district policies and procedures regarding facility use. Regular facility use by a third party to operate a café should be subject to an agreement governing the terms of the third party’s use of district facilities.

Cross References:  

Policy 6220 Bid Requirements

Policy 6230 Relations with Vendors

Legal References:

RCW 28A.320.015

Adopted:  10/12/23

Revised: 09/18/25

Superintendent or Board Approved:  Board Approved