As part of the board's long range plan for the school district's education program, the board will include the buildings and sites needs for the education program.  The long-term needs for buildings and sites will be discussed and determined by the board.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to provide information including, but not limited to, enrollment projections and education program requirements to the board.

Approved    3-15-10                        
Reviewed     4-9-90, 12-15-03                                                                    
Revised   5-16-05, 7-18-22  

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 is 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     3-15-10                       
Reviewed   4-9-90, 12-15-03   
Revised  5-16-05, 7-18-22  

EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDINGS AND SITES

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   3-15-10                 Reviewed     4-9-90,11-17-03, 12-15-03     Revised     5-16-05, 7-18-22, 8-19-24

Sites acquired by the board will 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 is the responsibility of the superintendent to assist the board and to make recommendations concerning the acquisition of sites.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed   4-9-90, 12-15-03   
Revised      5-16-05, 7-18-22  

The board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the school district community.  Purchases by the school district will be made in Iowa for Iowa goods and services from locally-owned businesses located within the school district or from Iowa-based companies which offer good or services if the cost and other considerations are relative 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 bid or quotation.  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 or quotation other than the lowest bid or quotation.  The board will have the right to reject any or all bids or quotations, or any part thereof, and to enter into the contract or contracts deemed to be in the best interests of the school district.

It is 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  3-15-10                          
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

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

Approved                                        
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

The school district buildings and sites, including the grounds, buildings, and equipment, will be kept clean and in good repair.  Employees should notify the building principal when something is in need of repair or removal, including graffiti.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in cooperation with administration, faculty, and maintenance personnel, to maintain the school district buildings and sites.  As part of this responsibility, a maintenance schedule will be created and adhered to in compliance with this policy.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed  4-9-90, 12-15-03 
Revised    5-16-05, 7-18-22  

Generally, except for emergency situations, requests for improvements or repairs are made to the superintendent by building principals and the head custodian.  Requirements for requests outlined in the maintenance schedule will be followed.

Minor improvements, not exceeding a cost of $5,000, may be approved by the superintendent.  Improvements exceeding $5,000 must be approved by the board.  Routine maintenance and repairs outlined in the maintenance schedule will be followed.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed    4-9-90  , 12-15-03                                                                   
Revised  5-16-05, 7-18-22  

In the event of an emergency requiring repairs in excess of the statutory minimums required by law, to a school district facility are necessary to correct or control the situation and to prevent the closing of school, the provisions relating to bidding will not apply. 

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to obtain certification from the Area Education Agency administrator stating such repairs were necessary to prevent the closing of school.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to notify the board as soon as possible considering the circumstances of the emergency.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed  4-9-90, 12-15-03
Revised  5-16-05, 7-18-22  

The board recognizes the need for access to its buildings and sites by persons with disabilities.  School district buildings and sites currently in use will be altered to be accessible to persons with disabilities unless the alteration would cause an undue hardship for the school district.  Renovated and new buildings and sites will be accessible to persons with disabilities.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, upon board approval, to take the necessary action to ensure school district buildings and sites are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Approved    3-15-10                        
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

The board believes everyone should treat school district buildings and sites and property with respect for the benefit of the education program.  Users of school district property will treat it with care.  Employees discovering vandalism should report it to the building principal as soon as possible.

Persons suspected, found or proven to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property may be subject to discipline by the school district, if the person is under the jurisdiction of the school district, and may be reported to local law enforcement officials.  Persons who are not under the jurisdiction of the school district and who are suspected, found or proven to have destroyed or otherwise harmed school district property will be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.

Approved    3-15-10                        
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

In concert with the board's goal to utilize public funds in an effective and efficient manner, employees and students will practice energy conservation methods when utilizing the school district's buildings and sites.  These methods include, but are not limited to, turning off lights and equipment when not in use, appropriately regulating the temperature of the facility, particularly when it is not in use, and keeping windows and doors properly closed or open, depending upon weather conditions.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop energy conservation guidelines for employees and students.  Employees and students will abide by these guidelines.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

School district property, such as equipment, furnishings or supplies or any other property that is not real property (hereafter equipment), will be disposed of when it is determined to be of no further use to the school district.  It is the objective of the school district in disposing of the equipment to achieve the best available price or most economical disposal.

Equipment having a value of less than $25,000 will be disposed of in a manner determined by the superintendent or designee.  The disposal of equipment in this manner will be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the school district.

A public hearing will be held regarding the disposal of the equipment with a value of $25,000 or more prior to the board's final decision.  The board will adopt a resolution announcing the proposed disposal and will publish notice of the time and place of the public hearing. A description of the property will be in the resolution.  Notice of the public hearing will be published at least once, but not less than ten (10) days and not more than twenty (20) days, prior to the hearing date.  Upon completion of the public hearing, the board may make a final determination on the proposal contained in the resolution.

Proceeds from the sale or disposition of equipment will be deposited into the fund which was used to account for the acquisition of the equipment.  If the school district is unable to determine which fund was used to account for the acquisition of the equipment or if the fund no longer exists in the school district, the proceeds from the sale or disposition of equipment will be placed in the general fund.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed   4-9-90, 12-15-03  
Revised     5-16-05, 7-18-22  

LEASE, SALE OR DISPOSAL OF SCHOOL DISTRICT BUILDINGS AND SITES

Decisions regarding the lease, sale or disposal of school district real property are made by the board.  In making its decision the board will consider the needs of the education program and the efficient use of public funds.

Before the board may authorize disposition of real property by sale, gift or lease for a period of more than one year, a public hearing will be held.  The board will adopt a resolution announcing the proposed sale which will contain notice of the time and place of the public hearing and the description of the property or locally known address.  Notice of the time and place of the public hearing will be published at least once, but not less than ten (10) days and not more than twenty (20) days, prior to the hearing date.  Upon completion of the public hearing, the board may authorize disposition of the property in accordance with the proposal reviewed during the public hearing.

The board may market and authorize the sale of any student constructed buildings by any procedure recommended by the superintendent and authorized by the board, and the public hearing requirement contained in this policy will not apply to the sale of student constructed buildings. The public hearing requirement in this policy will also not apply to the lease of school district real property for a period of one year or less or to the lease of a portion of an existing school building for any term.

If the real property contains less than two acres, is located outside of a city, is not adjacent to a city, and was previously used as a schoolhouse site, the property may revert to the owner of the tract from whom the property was taken following the procedures set forth in Iowa Code §§ 297.15-.25.

The board will not enter into an agreement to prohibit the sale of real property to other educational institutions as defined in Iowa Code 297.24.  If the board offers to sell real property that includes a building or structure, and an educational institution offers to purchase the real property for a purchase price that represents the highest bid the board received, the board will sell the real property to the other educational institution for such purchase price.

In the case of the razing of a school district facility, in an amount in excess of the statutory minimum required by law, the board will advertise and take bids or quotes as may be required and defined by Iowa Code 26 for the purpose of awarding the contract for the project.

The superintendent is responsible for coordinating the action necessary for the board to accomplish the lease, sale or disposal of school district real property, including student-constructed buildings.  It will also be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation to the board regarding the use of school district real property not being utilized for the education program.

Approved   3-15-10                 Reviewed                    Revised  7-18-22, 8-19-24  

A program for annual inspection, in addition to those conducted by authorized agencies, of the equipment, facilities, and grounds will be conducted as part of the maintenance schedule for school district buildings and sites.  The results of this inspection will be reported to the board at its annual meeting.  Further, the board may conduct its own inspection of the school district buildings and sites annually.

Approved    3-15-10                        
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

The school district will maintain a warning system designed to inform students, employees, and visitors in the facilities of an emergency.  This system is maintained on a regular basis under the maintenance plan for school district buildings and sites. 

Students are informed of this system according to board policy.  Each classroom and office will have a plan for helping those in need of assistance to safety during an emergency.  This will include, but not be limited to, students and employees with disabilities.

Licensed employees are responsible for instructing students on the proper techniques to be followed during an emergency.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22  

As soon as a bomb threat is reported to the administration, the potentially affected area should be cleared immediately.  A thorough search will be made by the appropriate school district or law enforcement officials.  Employees and students will remain outside the potentially affected area until it is determined that danger no longer exists.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to file a report or keep a report of each incident for the school district records.

Approved   3-15-10                         
Reviewed                                                                         
Revised  7-18-22   

The board will implement the rules of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and provide the necessary funding to implement the response actions as required.  The board will appoint a designated person as required as well as provide required training for maintenance and custodial works.  Each school district building will maintain a copy of the school district’s asbestos management plan.

Friable and non-friable asbestos containing materials will be maintained in good condition and appropriate precautions will be followed when the material is disturbed.  If there is a need to replace asbestos it will be replaced with non- asbestos containing materials.

Approved    3-15-10                        
Reviewed   4-9-90 , 12-15-03
Revised     5-16-05, 7-18-22