It shall be the policy of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Superintendent to 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.  The needs for such special studies shall be anticipated well in advance so that budgetary provisions can be made. 

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)

Upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Directors may, upon need, employ the services of an architect.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; MARCH 2, 2020)

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 construction or renovation of buildings and sites, when required by law, the specifications must be endorsed by the State of Iowa.  The board may adopt additional standards over and above the site specifications issued by the State as it deems necessary and beneficial to the school district.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)

The Superintendent and his/her staff, with the help of consultants, citizen advisory groups, and the Board of Directors, shall prepare educational specifications which may be used by the architect in planning and building elements in such a way that they will aid and abet the teaching and learning activities which are to take place within it.

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 site activities, gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium, administrative suite, teacher and student service facilities, public service or community service facilities and any other pertinent information which will be of significance in visualizing what is expected of the proposed new building, building additions, or renovation. 

(April 18, 1983; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)

The architect shall proceed with preparation of the preliminary plans and specifications after receiving authorization from the Board of Directors.  The Superintendent shall provide the architect building and sites specifications, educational specifications, financial data, and other pertinent information necessary to the architect’s planning.  The architect shall make revisions to the preliminary plans and specifications until a consensus of opinion is reached and approval is given by the Board of Directors. 

(April 18, 1983; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)

The architect shall proceed with preparation of the final working drawings, specifications, and contract documents after receiving authorization from the Board of Directors.  The Superintendent, staff, citizens’ committee, and Board shall continue to provide information and decisions necessary for the architect to finalize the plans.

It shall be the responsibility of the architect to obtain approval of the final plans by the Department of Education, State Fire Marshall, Local Building Authorities, and any other project specific government agencies and the Board of Directors, consistent with the agreement between the District and the architect, before releasing the plans for bid purposes.

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)

The Board of Directors recognizes the need for access to its buildings and sites by persons with disabilities.  The Board will consider the needs of persons with disabilities when planning and constructing new buildings and facilities to ensure that these buildings and facilities are accessible to and function satisfactorily for persons with a disability and are consistent with state and federal law.

(March 2, 2020)

The Board of Directors shall utilize as needed and, in its discretion, all lawful means of financing site purchase and construction as provided by state law.  The Board may also utilize money received from gifts and money derived from the sale of schoolhouses and/or sites. 

(April 18, 1983; July 15, 1991; July 7, 2003; July 18, 2011; June 23, 2014; March 2, 2020)