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 building and sites will be discussed and determined by the board.

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

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 280.3, .12, .14; 297 (2013).

Cross Reference:  103       Long-Range Needs Assessment

Approved: Jan. 12, 1998; June 19, 2017  
Reviewed:   Aug. 24, 2005     
Revised:  June 19, 2017    

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 will 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.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 280.3, .14; 297 (2013).

Cross Reference:  103       Long-Range Needs Assessment
                                       801       Site Acquisition and Building Construction

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017       
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005; June 19, 2017          
Revised:  Dec. 8, 1997

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 will be within the discretion of the board to determine whether a committee will be 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.

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

Legal Reference:  Cedar Rapids Community School District, Linn County v. City of Cedar Rapids, 252 Iowa 205, 106 N.W.2d 655 (1960).
                                            Iowa Code §§ Ch 26; 280.3, .14; 297; 544A (2013).
                                       1974 Op. Att'y Gen. 529.

Cross Reference:  801       Site Acquisition and Building Construction

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017        
Reviewed:   Aug. 24, 2005; June 19, 2017           
Revised:  Jan.12, 1998, Dec. 15, 2003          

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 will 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 (2013).

Cross Reference:  212       Closed Sessions
                                       705.1    Purchasing - Bidding
                                       801       Site Acquisition and Building Construction

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017         
Reviewed:   Aug. 24, 2005; June 19, 2017          
Revised:  Jan. 12, 1998

Architects will be interviewed by the board of directors, superintendent, and other personnel designated by them.  The board of directors will give official approval for the selection of an architect for the specific project under consideration.

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017          
Reviewed:   Aug. 24, 2005; June 19, 2017           
Revised:  ________________

The architect will proceed with preparation of the preliminary plans and specifications after receiving authorization from the board of directors.

The superintendent will provide the architect educational specifications, financial data, and other pertinent information necessary to the planning.

The architect will make revisions to the plans until a consensus of opinion is reached and approval is given by the board of directors.

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017        
Reviewed:   Aug. 24, 2005; June 19, 2017           
Revised:  _____________

The architect will 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 will continue to provide information and decisions necessary for the architect to finalize the plans.

It will be the responsibility of the architect to obtain approval of the final plans by the State Fire Marshall, local building authorities, and the board of directors before releasing the plans for bid purposes.

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017         
Reviewed:   Sep. 28, 2005; June 19, 2017           
Revised:  Oct. 10, 2005

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 AEA administrator will certify that the emergency repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school.  The superintendent will comply with the competitive quote process for those projects subject to the competitive quote law.  The superintendent will determine the process for obtaining quotes for projects below the competitive quote limit.  The board will approve the quote for the project.

The award of construction contracts will, generally, be made to the lowest 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.  The board will have the right to reject any or all bids, 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 and the reason for it to the board for construction contract bids.  The board secretary will recommend to the board which bid to accept.

Legal Reference:  Iowa Code §§ 72; 73; 73A.2, .18; 297.7-.8 (2013).

Cross-Reference:  705 Expenditures
                                       801 Site Acquisition and Building Construction

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985; June 19, 2017         
Reviewed:  Dec. 11, 2006      
Revised:  Jan. 8, 2007; June 19, 2017