It is the goal of the Board to provide sufficient District buildings and sites for the education program.  The Board will strive to provide an environment which will encourage and support learning.

In providing this environment the District buildings and sites will accommodate the organizational and instructional patterns that support the education program.  The Board has final authority to determine what is necessary to meet the needs of the education program.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to oversee the day-to-day operations of the District buildings and sites and to notify the Board of areas in need of improvement.  The Superintendent will be responsible for organizing and coordinating the efforts of the various individuals and groups to best achieve the established educational objectives of the building program by making recommendations to the Board.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

As part of the Board's long range plan for the District's education program, the Board will include the buildings and sites needs for the education program.  The long-term needs for building and 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board may engage the services of consultants or other personnel to study the needs of the 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

Buildings and sites considered for purchase or construction by the Board or currently owned by the 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.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to make a recommendation to the Board regarding the specifications of buildings and sites.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the school district community.  Purchases by the District will be made in Iowa for Iowa goods and services from locally-owned businesses located within the District 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 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, to waive informalities, and to enter into the contract or contracts deemed to be in the best interests of the 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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 District buildings and/or sites.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The 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 District buildings and sites.  As part of this responsibility, a maintenance schedule is created and adhered to in compliance with this policy.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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

The Superintendent may approve minor improvements, not exceeding a cost of $5,000.  The Board must approve improvements exceeding $5,000.  Routine maintenance and repairs outlined in the maintenance schedule will be followed.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

In the event of an emergency requiring repairs in excess of the statutory minimums required by law, to a 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board recognizes the need for access to its buildings and sites by persons with disabilities.  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 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 District buildings and sites are accessible to persons with disabilities.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

Everyone will treat District buildings and site and property with respect for the benefit of the education program.  Users of 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 District property may be subject to discipline by the District.  If the person is under the jurisdiction of the District, they may be reported to local law enforcement officials.  Persons who are not under the jurisdiction of the District and who are suspected, found or proven to have destroyed or otherwise harmed District property will be reported to the local law enforcement authorities.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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

Equipment having a value of less than $5,000 will be disposed of by the Superintendent or designee at the best price possible.  The sale of equipment disposed of in this manner will be published in a newspaper of general circulation.  The publication of a sale will be published with at least one insertion each week for two consecutive weeks.  Any other disposition will be published by at least one insertion.

A public hearing will be held regarding the disposal of equipment with a value of $5,000 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.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to make a recommendation to the Board regarding the method for disposing of equipment of no further use to the District.

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 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 District, the proceeds from the sale or disposition of equipment will be placed in the general fund.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

The Board will make decisions regarding the lease, sale or disposal of District real property.  In making its decision the Board will consider the needs of the education program and the efficient use of public funds.

Prior to the Board’s final decision regarding real property, 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 dispose of the property.

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 law.

In the case of the demolition of a District facility or structure, the Board will follow all applicable laws regarding competitive bidding for the demolition project.

The Superintendent is responsible for coordinating the action necessary for the Board to accomplish the lease, sale or disposal of District real property, including student-constructed buildings.  It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to make a recommendation to the Board regarding the use of District real property not being utilized for the education program.

Proceeds from the disposition of real property will be deposited into the fund which was used to account for the acquisition of the property. If the District is unable to determine which fund was used to account for the acquisition of the property or if the fund no longer exists in the District, the proceeds from the sale or disposal of real property will be placed in the physical plant and equipment levy fund.  Proceeds from the lease of real property will be placed in the general fund.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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 District buildings and sites.  The results of these inspections will be reported to the Board at its annual meeting.  Further, the Board may conduct its own inspection of the District buildings and sites annually.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

As soon as a bomb threat is reported to the administration, the District facility should be cleared immediately.  A thorough search will be made by the appropriate District or law enforcement officials.  Employees and students will remain outside the District facility 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 District records.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019

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 District building will maintain a copy of the 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.

REVIEWED: 11/18/2019 - APPROVED 12/03/2019