Policy 801: Sites and Specifications

801.1 School Facilities Surveys

It shall be the policy of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools to contract for the services of consultants and other personnel for the study of particular problems of the School District. The needs for such special studies shall be anticipated well in advance so that budgetary provisions can be made.

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004, Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended:

801.2 Site Specifications

The Board of Directors shall accept as its minimum standards such site specifications as issued by the Iowa Department of Education. The Board of Directors may adopt additional standards over and above the site specifications issued by the Iowa Department of Education as it deems necessary and beneficial to the School District.

The board may meet in closed session to discuss potential purchases of specific sites in compliance with applicable laws.

Legal Reference: (Code of Iowa) Chapters 297.1

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12. 2004, Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended: Feb. 14, 2022

801.3 Selection of an Architect

Architects shall be interviewed by the Board of Directors, the Superintendent and other designated personnel. Official approval of an architect for the specific project under consideration shall be made at an official Board Meeting.

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004; Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended:

801.4 Educational Specifications for Building

The Superintendent and appropriate staff, with the help of consultants, citizen advisory groups, and the Board of Directors, shall prepare educational specifications which may be used by the architect in planning the building elements in such a way that they will aid and abet the teaching and learning activities which are to take place within it.

The educational specifications should provide the architect with an inventory of program requirements, a statement of functional program relationships, a definition of the number and character of classrooms, a description of needed specialized instructional facilities, the educational requirements for such areas as library, outside site activities, gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, administrative suite, teacher and student service facilities, public service or community service facilities and any other pertinent information which will be of significance in visualizing what is expected of the proposed new building, building additions, or renovation.

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004; Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended: May 11, 1992

801.5 Preliminary Building Specifications

The architect shall proceed with preparation of the preliminary plans and specifications after receiving authorization from the Board of Directors.

The Superintendent shall provide the architect educational specifications, financial data, and other pertinent information necessary to his planning.

The architect shall make revisions to the plans until a consensus of opinion is reached and approval is given by the Board of Directors.

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004; Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended:

801.6 Final Building Specifications

The architect shall proceed with preparation of the final working drawings, specifications, and contract documents after receiving authorization from the Board of Directors. The Superintendent, staff and Board shall continue to provide information and decisions necessary for the architect to finalize the plans.

It shall be the responsibility of the architect to obtain approval of the final plans by the area education agency administrator, Iowa Department of Education, State Fire Marshall, local building authorities and the Board of Directors before releasing the plans for bid purposes.

Legal Reference: (Code of Iowa) Chapter 297.7

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004; Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended: January 8, 1980; June 9, 1986

801.7 Financial Sites and Construction

The Board of Directors shall utilize, as needed, all means of financing construction and site purchase as provided by the Code of Iowa. Possibilities include Bond Issues, lease purchase option contract, physical plant and equipment levy, public recreation and education levy, and a local option sales tax for infrastructure. The Board may also utilize money received from gifts and money derived from the sale of schoolhouses and/or sites.

Legal Reference: (Code of Iowa) Chapters 278.1, 279.41, 296, 297.5, 300, 565.6

Date of Adoption: November 12, 1974

Reviewed: May 11, 1992; April 5, 1999; Jan. 12, 2004; Nov. 10, 2008; Dec. 10, 2012; April 13, 2015; Feb. 11, 2019; Feb. 14, 2022

Amended: July 13, 1982; May 11, 1992