As part of the board’s long-range plan for the school district’s educational program, the board shall include the needs for the educational program in the area of buildings and sites.  The long term needs for building and sites shall be discussed and determined by the board.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to provide information including, but not limited to, enrollment projections and educational program requirements to the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§280.3, .14, 297 (1991)

Cross Reference:  106        Evaluation of Educational Program
                                       211.04  Work Sessions

Approved:  6-08-92              
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:  8-11-97

The board may engage the services of consultants or other personnel to study the needs of the school district’s facilities in providing the educational program.  The results of these services will be considered in planning the educational program and in making decisions about the improvement and acquisition of additional facilities.

It shall be the responsibility of the administration to make a recommendation to the board regarding the need for such services and who should perform such services for the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§280.3, .14, 297 (1991)

Cross Reference:  106        Evaluation of Educational Program
                                       211.04  Work Sessions

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:  8-11-97

Facilities considered for purchase or construction by the board or currently owned by the board and used for the educational program must meet or, upon improvement, be able to meet the specifications set by the board.  The board shall make this determination.

Prior to construction of new or improvement of current facilities the specifications must be endorsed, when the cost is $25,000 or more, by the State Department of Education.  The board may set standards in addition to the requirements of these agencies for school district facilities.

Prior to remodeling or other construction of facilities, the board may appoint a committee of consultants, school district personnel, citizens, or others the board determines to assist the board in developing the specifications for the new or improved facilities.  These specifications shall assist the learning to take place in the facility, and they shall provide the architect with the information necessary to determine what is expected from the facility.  It shall be within the discretion of the board to determine whether a committee of this nature shall be convened.

The educational specifications shall include, but not be limited to, the financial resources available for the project, the definition and character of classrooms, the functional use to be made of the rooms, description of specialized needs, and other pertinent information as the board deems necessary.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board regarding the specifications of facilities.

Legal Reference:  Cedar Rapids Community School District, Linn County v. City of Cedar Rapids, 252 Iowa 205, 106 N.W.2d 655 (Iowa 1961)
                                      Iowa Code §§23.2, .18, 118, 280.3, .14, 297 (1991)
                                      1974 Op. Att’y Gen. 529

Cross Reference:  901.02  Facilities Survey

Approved:  6-8-92                               
Reviewed:  3-08-21                            
Revised:             

The board shall have the authority to select the architect for any construction requiring these services.  The financial position of the school district, the ability of the architect to meet the specifications of the board and the State Department of Education, if necessary, and the experience of the architect will be considered by the board.  The board may also consider any other factors it deems relevant.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to interview the architects and make a recommendation to the board.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code Chapters 118 and 297 (1991)

Cross Reference:  901        Site Acquisitions and Building Construction

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:             

Sites acquired by the board shall meet or, upon improvement, be able to meet the specifications set out by the board prior to using the site for educational program.  The board may meet in closed session to discuss potential purchases of sites.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to assist the board and to make recommendations concerning the acquisition of sites.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§21.5(j), 297 (1991)

Cross Reference:  213        Closed Meetings of the School Board
                                       901.03  Educational Specifications for Buildings and Sites

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:             

Prior to finalization of plans for the construction of new buildings or for major remodeling of existing facilities, a “life cycle cost analysis” shall be prepared. The “life cycle analysis” shall be approved by the board before any contracts for construction or renovation are let.

The analysis will consider certain costs of owning, using and operating a building over its economic life.  Other factors the analysis will include, but not be limited to, are the initial costs, system repair and replacement costs, maintenance costs, operating costs, including energy costs, and salvage value.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to have this analysis prepared.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§279.8, 470 (1991)

Cross Reference:  805.01  Purchasing - Bidding
                                       805.03  Requisitions and Purchase Order
                                       805.04  Receiving Goods and Services

Approved:  6-08-92              
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:             

The board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the district community. Construction contracts shall be made in the school district community or in Iowa from Iowa-based companies if the bids submitted are comparable in total cost considerations to those submitted by other bidders.  The board shall have the authority to approve or retain construction contracts.

Except in the case of emergency construction, review of the plans by the State Department of Education, a public hearing, and competitive sealed bids are required for construction contracts in excess of $25,000. The board shall advertise for competitive sealed bids.  In the case of emergency construction, a certificate stating the need for it shall be obtained from the area education agency administrator.

The award of construction contracts will, generally, be made to the lowest responsible bidder.  The board, in its discretion, after considering the total costs of construction, including, but not limited to, the cost of the construction, availability of service and/or repair, completion date, and any other factors deemed relevant by the board, may choose a bid other than the lowest bid.  The board shall have the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof, to waive informalities, and to enter into such contract or contracts as shall be deemed in the best interests of the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent for construction contract bids to make a recommendation and the reason for it to the board.  A contract which has been awarded may be cancelled by the board upon the recommendation of the superintendent.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§18.6 (9), 23.2, .18, 72, 73, 297.7-.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  805.01  Purchasing and Bidding
                                       805.03  Requisitions and Purchase Orders
                                       805.04  Receiving Goods and Services
                                       901.02  Facilities Surveys
                                       901.06  Life Cycle Analysis
                                       902.02  Requests of Improvements

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:             

Prior to the approval of a construction contract, except emergency construction, the board shall review methods for financing the project.  The board may use the means it deems necessary to pay for the purchase of sites and construction.  In determining the means of financing for these purposes, the board shall consider the financial position of the school district and the uses allowed for the monies of the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the board secretary to analyze the various methods of financing for the purchase of sites and construction and make a recommendation to the board.

Legal Reference:  Harney v Clear Creek Community School District, 261
                                      Iowa 315, 154 N.W.2d 88 (1967)
                                      Ligget v Abbott, 192 Iowa 742, 185 N.W. 569 (1921)
                                      Iowa Code §§23, 74, 74A, 75, 278.1, 296, 297, 298 (1991)
                                      1936 Op. Att’y Gen. 423
                                      1972 Op. Att’y Gen.
                                      1974 Op. Att’y Gen. 598
                                      1938 Op. Att’y Gen. 167

Cross Reference:  901        Site Acquisition and Building Construction
                                      805        Expenditures

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised:             

Construction authorized by the board must be supervised for proper execution.  The board will tour the completed construction area before allowing final payment on the project.

It shall be the responsibility of the architect to supervise construction projects of the school district as they are completed.  The superintendent shall be responsible for providing the board with progress reports at each meeting until the construction is completed and shall work closely with the architect.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §279.8 (1991)

Cross Reference:  901        Site Acquisition and Building Construction

Approved:  6-8-92                
Reviewed:  3-08-21              
Revised: