SECTION F: FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT
______________________________________________________________________________
FA Facilities Development Goals
FBB Enrollment Projections
FC Facilities Capitalization Program
FD Tax Issues (Also KBE)
FEE Site Acquisition Procedure
FEF Construction Contracts Bidding and Awards
FF Naming or Renaming of New Facilities
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT GOALS
The educational program is influenced significantly by the environment within which it functions. The development of a quality educational program and District facilities which help to implement it should be complementary.
It is this Board's goal to provide the facilities needed for the number of students in the District, to provide the kind of facilities which best support and accommodate the educational program and to develop a long-range planning and evaluation program.
The Board recognizes that capital outlay funds are limited and that it must establish priorities in order to make the best use of the school building funds. Whenever possible, the cultural as well as educational needs of the community are considered in planning facilities expansions.
Architects employed by the Board are expected to plan for simplicity of design, sound economics (including low, long-range maintenance costs), efficiency in energy consumption, low insurance rates and high educational utility and flexibility.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REFS.: ORC 3318.01
OAC 3301-35-03
FACILITIES PLANNING
The Board is responsible for the regular operation and orderly development of its physical plant. For this reason, the Board concerns itself with both short- and long-range planning as it relates to the properties of the District.
The Board follows a long-term building program to serve as a guide for capital improvements. This program is subject to systematic study, revision and extension. The respective construction projects are acted upon individually when proposed for implementation.
The Board building program is designed to provide adequate facilities to conduct educational programs for all students residing in the District. The building program is based upon specific Board policies which have been, and continue to be, modified to conform to changes in the curriculum, availability of construction funds, technological needs, changes in enrollments and the results of annual evaluation of facilities. The Board establishes priorities using these and other relevant factors.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REFS.: ORC 3313.37
3315.10
Chapter 3318
OAC 3301-35-03(c); 3301-35-06
CROSS REFS.: FA, Facilities Development Goals
TAX ISSUES
The Board examines financial needs in advance of any levy or bond elections. The Board provides the public with information on school building needs and on levy and bond elections. It does not use District funds to promote approval of school-related tax issues.
Tax reduction factors are considered in coordination with the triennial property updates in affected district counties. In considering a potential tax issue, the Board examines all legal options to obtain additional revenue.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REFS.: Ohio Const. Art XII, º 2, º 5
ORC Chapter 133
3311.21
3313.46
3315.07
3501.01
Chapter 5705
5748.01
FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION
The Board follows all State, Federal and city laws and codes pertinent to construction of school facilities. The Board may employ an architect or other consultants as needed to assist in advising and monitoring facilities planning and construction.
Educational Specifications
Educational specifications are determined by a committee of educators and other individuals as established by the Superintendent. No educational specifications are adopted unless approved by the Board of Education upon the recommendation of the Superintendent.
Selection of Architect
The Board selects an architect(s) and other consultants as needed based upon an interviewing process as established by the Superintendent.
Facilities Development Plans and Specifications
Plans and specifications for new construction or major renovations are submitted by the Superintendent to the Board for final approval.
Construction Cost Estimates and Determinations
No new construction project or major renovations over $25,000 will be started until costs have been fully determined by the Superintendent and presented to the Board for approval.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
SITE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE
When the Board determines that land should be acquired for school purposes, it authorizes the Superintendent to discuss the purchase of the property. He/She may acquire information about the property from a qualified appraiser and advice about the purchase from an attorney. If an agreement is reached, the Board authorizes the Superintendent to acquire the property at the agreed-upon price.
If the Board is unable to reach an agreement with the property owners, appropriation proceedings may begin. The amount of compensation to be awarded to the owners of the land is deposited in escrow with the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas when the action is filed.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REFS.: ORC 163.01-163.22
3313.37; 3313.39
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS BIDDING AND AWARDS
Upon the approval of working drawings and specifications by the Board and State agencies, the Board solicits bids to be submitted at the office of the Board on or before a specified time. Each bid is accompanied by either a bond for the full amount of the bid or a cashierÆs check or letter of credit equal to 10 percent of the total bid. The advertisement states that the Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to re-advertise the project, if necessary.
The architect or authorized individual takes the responsibility for preparing the advertisements, bid forms, bid bond forms, performance and payment bonds and forms of agreement between the Board and the successful bidder(s). Upon receipt of bids, they are opened publicly and entered into the minutes of the Board. The architect or other authorized individual assists the Board and District personnel in analyzing the bids. The Board attorney or other authorized individualÆs advice on awarding the contract is of particular value with respect to legal aspects of the contract provisions regulating alterations, extras, nonperformance, damages and security bonds.
Effective August 19, 1997, school districts are exempt from paying prevailing wage rates on construction work.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REFS.: ORC 9.3-9.333
Chapter 153
Chapter 1305
3313.37; 3313.46
3318.08; 3318.10
3319.04
Chapter 4703
OAC generally 4101 (Ohio Building Code)
NAMING OR RENAMING OF FACILITIES
The Board may name new facilities or rename existing facilities at the discretion of the Board.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
RETIREMENT OF FACILITIES
When a school building becomes inadequate due to age, condition, size of site, lack of need or other overriding limitations and cannot reasonably and economically be brought up to current educational standards, the building is considered for a comprehensive closing study. The Superintendent recommends to the Board which facilities appear to justify further analysis.
The Board may seek both professional advice and advice from the community prior to taking action to retire any school facility. The Board may consider the following factors:
1. age and current physical condition of the facility, its operating systems and program;
2. adequacy of site, location, access, surrounding development, traffic patterns and other environmental conditions;
3. re-assignment of students, including alternative plans, according to Board policy;
4. transportation factors, including number of students bused, time, distance and safety;
5. alternative uses of buildings;
6. cost/savings (e.g., personnel, plant operations, transportation, capital investment and alternative use) and
7. continuity of instructional and community programs.
If the Board determines to close a school, it first considers other uses of the building before considering its sale. The historic value of any building is also considered by the Board. In such cases, it may take special action to provide for its preservation.
[Adoption date: April 26, 1999]
LEGAL REF.: ORC 3313.41