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 school buildings and sites and to notify the Board of areas in need of improvement and/or repairs.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Revised: 06/08/20
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 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.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Revised: 06/14/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Revised: 06/08/20
The Board shall accept as its minimum standards the site specifications issued by the Iowa State Department of Education. The Board may adopt more rigorous standards over and above the State specifications, if such additional requirements are deemed necessary and beneficial to the District.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Revised: 06/08/20
The Superintendent of schools shall present and make recommendations to the Board of a master site acquisition plan to meet the needs and purposes of the District in future years.
The master site acquisition plan shall be subject to periodic review and updating. The Superintendent/designee may request the assistance of an architect, a real estate committee, the zoning commission, the urban planning organization and any other person or persons needed in making the master site acquisition plan.
It shall be the responsibility of the Board to establish a priority calendar for the acquisition of various sites. The Board may meet in closed session to discuss potential purchases of sites.
All requirements specified by Iowa law shall be followed in negotiating for and acquiring sites.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Revised: 06/08/20
Architects shall be interviewed by the Superintendent and any other relevant personnel he/she may designate. The Superintendent's recommendation shall be presented to the Board for its consideration and official approval before any architect is hired for a specific project under consideration.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Reviewed: 06/08/20
The architect shall proceed with preparation of the design specifications and plans after receiving authorization from the Board.
The Superintendent shall provide the architect with educational specifications, financial data, and other pertinent information necessary to the architect's planning.
The architect shall make revisions to the specifications and plans until a consensus of opinion is reached and approval is given by the Board.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Reviewed: 06/08/20
The Superintendent and his/her staff, with the help of consultants, citizen advisory groups, and the board, shall prepare educational specifications that will be used by the architect in planning the building. Educational specifications will be formulated in such a way that they will aid and abet the teaching and learning that will take place in the building that is planned.
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 activity sites, gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, administrative suit, teacher and student service facilities, and public service or community service facilities, as well as any other pertinent information that will help the architect visualize what is expected of the proposed new building, building additions, or renovation.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Reviewed: 06/08/20
The Board shall, as needed, use any means of financing construction and site purchase provided for under Iowa law. The Board may also use money received from gifts, and money derived from the sale of school buildings and/or sites.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Reviewed: 06/08/20
The Board believes the building plans of the District should provide for the most effective and efficient use of public funds in the operation of the District and its educational program while allowing a variety of contractors to compete for the project.
The Board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the District community. Therefore, all construction contracts shall be made in the District community or in Iowa from Iowa based companies if the bids submitted are comparable in price to those submitted by other bidders and meet the required specifications.
All construction projects undertaken in the name of the District shall be made in accordance with Iowa law and the board's policies. It shall be the responsibility of the board to approve construction contracts.
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 AEA administrator will clarify 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 award of construction contract will be made to the lowest responsible bidder based upon total cost considerations, including, but not limited to, the cost of the construction, the availability of service and/or repair, and completion date. The Board shall have the right to reject any or all bids and readvertise. The Superintendent of school shall recommend to the board with whom the contract should be made. A contract, which has been awarded, may be cancelled by the Board upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, who shall state the reasons for the recommendation to the Board.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 12/11/06
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 06/08/15
*Revised: 06/08/20
The Superintendent of schools, in cooperation with administrative, directors, faculty, and operations personnel, shall develop and administer a comprehensive maintenance schedule for the general care and housekeeping of all buildings, equipment, and grounds of the District. Employees should notify the operations department and/or building Principal when something is in need of repair or removal, including graffiti by placing a work order.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 07/13/15
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
Requests for improvements to or repairs of District property shall, except in emergencies, follow the proper lines of authority and the proper sequence of organization as outlined in the district's maintenance schedule.
When an emergency arises that directly affects the learning environment or the safety and welfare of the people in the building, the following shall supersede the official maintenance schedule:
The District may also petition the Department of Education to receive approval to assess and levy tax and maintain an emergency fund.
*Revised: 12/10/90
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
The Superintendent of schools, or designee, shall use his/her judgment in assigning District maintenance personnel or contracting for a special service in maintaining district grounds, buildings, and equipment.
*Revised: 10/14/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
School property, such as equipment, furnishings, or supplies (hereafter equipment), will be disposed of when it is determined to be of no further use to the District. It is the objective of the District in disposing of the equipment to achieve the best available price or most economical disposal.
Obsolete equipment having a value of less than $5,000 will be disposed of in a manner determined by the Board. However, the sale of equipment, furnishings or supplies disposed of in this manner will be published in a newspaper of general circulation. The publication of the sale will be published with at least one insertion each week for two consecutive weeks.
A public hearing will be held regarding the disposal of the 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 sale and will publish notice of the time and place of the public hearing and the 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 dispose of the equipment.
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.
*Revised: 10/14/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Revised: 04/13/09
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
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: 09/16/02
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
Every new or remodeled building is to have at least two (2) means of exit from each story, and shall be equipped with fire prevention and fire fighting equipment as outlined under Iowa law.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Reviewed: 07/13/20
The District shall maintain a warning system designed to inform students, employees, and visitors in the facilities of an emergency. This system shall be maintained on a regular basis under the maintenance plan for the District buildings and sites. Students shall be informed of this system. Each classroom and office shall have a plan for helping those in need of assistance to safety during an emergency. This shall 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.
Iowa law requires that all public and accredited nonpublic schools develop and maintain a high-quality emergency operations plan. Records containing District security procedures and/or emergency preparedness information are considered confidential records under Iowa Code Section 22.7, if disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize students, employees, visitors, systems, or property. The records or class of records which are covered by this Iowa Code provision include, but are not limited to, records containing information directly related to vulnerability assessments; information relating to security measures; emergency response protocols; security codes and combinations, passwords, keys, and records containing information that, if disclosed, would significantly increase the vulnerability of attack to the critical systems or infrastructures of the District.
The Board requires that at least once per school year, an emergency operations drill based on the emergency operations plan be conducted in each individual school building in which students are educated. The plan shall determine which staff and students are involved in the drill, the nature of the drill, and shall identify procedures for school personnel, parents, and guardians to report possible threats to the safety of students or school personnel on school grounds or at school activities.
The Board and authorities shall annually review the security plan and procedures as required by Iowa law.
*Adopted: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 01/13/20
*Revised: 07/13/20
The use of tobacco and nicotine products; including, but not limited to, cigarettes, nicotine chew, snus, dissolvables, electronic cigarettes, any electronic devices that can be used to deliver nicotine to the person inhaling from the device, any other look-alike products in which the original would include tobacco and/or nicotine and/or other nicotine products that are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration for tobacco cessation; on district property; including in district buildings, on district grounds, in district transportation vehicles, or at any district activity; is prohibited.
This policy extends to all students, employees, volunteers and visitors. This policy applies at all times, including during school-sponsored events and during non-school-sponsored events.
Persons violating this policy shall be asked to cease using the tobacco and/or nicotine product, properly dispose of the tobacco and/or nicotine product and refrain from using tobacco and/or nicotine products in the future. Persons failing to abide by this request shall be required to leave the district premises immediately.
It shall be the responsibility of all district personnel, and specifically district administrators, to enforce this policy.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Revised: 05/08/06
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Revised: 07/13/09
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Revised: 06/09/14
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Reviewed: 07/13/20
The Board believes everyone should treat District buildings and sites 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, and 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.
*Adopted: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Reviewed: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
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, reducing the temperature of the facility, particularly when it is not in use, and keeping windows and doors properly closed or open, depending upon the weather.
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop energy conservation guidelines for employees and students. Employees and students will abide by these guidelines.
*Adopted: 03/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 07/13/15
*Revised: 07/13/20
The use or possession of unmanned aircraft or aerial systems, including communication links that control the unmanned aircraft, (UAS) which includes drones, unmanned airborne devices or aircraft, model aircraft, and/or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, is prohibited for any purpose by any person or entity anywhere on or directly above property or premises owned, maintained or used by the District for any purpose.
An exception to this policy may be granted in writing by the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee, in his or her sole discretion, to law enforcement, public safety agencies, media, District personnel or other entities or individuals subject to any reasonable conditions and/or restrictions the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee may require.
This prohibition applies to the area above and upon all property or premises owned, maintained or used by the District for any purpose, including, but not limited to, building entrances and exits, spectator areas, fields of play, courts, arenas, stadiums, mats, gym floors, pools, practice facilities, parking areas, and facilities or properties being used by the District.
The District reserves the right to refuse entrance to property or premises owned, maintained or used by the District to anyone possessing, operating, or attempting to operate a UAS; to request the immediate removal of any person using or attempting to use a UAS in violation of this policy; and to take any appropriate action under the District’s policies and/or law against any person using or attempting to use a UAS in violation of this policy.
*Adopted: 09/12/16
*Reviewed: 07/13/20
Decisions regarding the lease, sale, or disposal of 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.
Prior to the Board's final decision regarding real property with a value of $5,000 or more, 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 under Iowa law.
In the case of a sale or lease of District real property not being used for the education program, unless otherwise exempted, advertisements for bids will be taken. If the bids received by the Board are deemed inadequate, the board may decline to sell or lease the property and re-advertise.
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 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 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 District real property not being utilized for the education program.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 11/10/06
*Revised: 03/12/07
*Revised: 06/14/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 10/12/15
*Revised: 08/10/20
The Board supports the educational program and practical experience of student‑constructed building. The Board will strive to sell, lease or dispose of the student‑constructed building in any manner selected by the Board, which will produce the highest financial return to the District.
*Reviewed: 09/16/02
*Reviewed: 02/12/07
*Reviewed: 04/12/10
*Revised: 12/13/10
*Reviewed: 10/12/15
*Revised: 08/10/20