As part of the board's long range plan for the school district's education program, the board shall include the needs for the education 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 superintendent to provide information including, but not limited to, enrollment projections and education program requirements to the board.

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-11-93, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22                                                      

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

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

Approved:  7-1-92            
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22                                                      

Buildings and sites considered for purchase or construction by the board or currently owned by the school district and used for the education program must meet, or upon improvement be able to meet, the specifications set by the board.  The board will make this determination.

Prior to remodeling or other construction of buildings and sites, the board may appoint a committee of consultants, employees, citizens or others to assist the board in developing the specifications for the new or improved buildings and sites.  These specifications will be consistent with the education program, and they will provide the architect with the information necessary to determine what is expected from the facility.  It is within the discretion of the board to determine whether a committee is appointed.

The education specifications will 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.

The district will publish on the district website information related to the square footage of each school building owned by the district; enrollment capacity of each attendance center owned by the district; how the building is currently utilized by the district, and school buildings owned by the district that are vacant.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board regarding the specifications of buildings and sites.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  10-14-0, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  12-08-03, 7-11-22, 8-21-24

The board shall have the authority to select the architect to provide architectural  services.  The financial condition of the school district, the ability of the architect to meet the specifications of the board and any other applicable specifications, the experience of the architect, and other factors deems relevant by the board may be considered by the board in the selection of an architect.

Approved:  7-1-92     
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14                         
Revised:  7-11-22                                                      

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 the education 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.

Approved:  07-01-92             
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22                                                      

Prior to finalization of plans for the construction of new buildings or for major remodeling of existing buildings and sites, a life cycle cost analysis shall be prepared.  The life cycle analysis shall be approved by the board before 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.

Approved:  7-1-92            
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22                                                      

The board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the school district community. Purchases by the school district shall be made in Iowa for Iowa goods and services from locally-owned businesses located within the school district community or from Iowa-based companies which offer goods or services if the cost and other considerations are relatively equal and they meet the required specifications.

Public, competitive sealed bids are required for construction projects, including renovation and repair, with a cost exceeding the statutory minimums required by law.  The public, competitive sealed bid requirement is waived in the case of emergency repairs when the repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school.  The Area Education Agency administrator will certify that the emergency repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school.  The superintendent will comply with the competitive quotation process for those projects subject to the competitive quotation law.  The superintendent will determine the process for obtaining quotations for projects below the competitive quotation limit.  The superintendent will recommend to the board a quotation for the project for approval subject to the legal requirements governing the award of contracts based upon quotations.

The award of construction contracts will, generally, be made to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder.  The board, in its discretion, after considering factors relating to the 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 or quotation.  The board shall have the right to reject any or all bids or quotations, or any part thereof, to waive informalities, and to enter into the contract or contracts deemed to be in the best interests of the school district.

It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board regarding which bid or quotation to accept and the reason for the superintendent’s recommendation.

Approved:  7-1-92            
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22                                                                  

The board shall, as needed, use any means of financing construction and site purchases provided for under law.  The board may also use money received from gifts, conations, and bequests and money derived from the sale of school district buildings and/or sites.

Approved:7-1-92                   
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 01-19-10, 6-11-14
Reviewed:  7-11-22                                                   

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

It shall be the responsibility of the person designated by the board 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 individual and/or entity supervising construction projects.

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  12-11-95, 11-13-00, 10-14-03, 04-09-07, 1-19-10, 6-11-14
Revised:  7-11-22