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

The Superintendent shall provide information including, but not limited to, enrollment projections and education program requirements to the Board.

Approved: September 2007
Reviewed:  October 2020

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.

The Board shall have the authority to select the architect for construction projects. The financial condition of the District, the ability of the architect to meet the building and site specifications, the experience of the architect and other factors deemed relevant by the Board will be considerations for selection of an architect. The Board shall interview the architects and make a decision.

The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding the need for such services and who should perform such services.

Approved:  September 2007
Reviewed:  October 2020
Revised:     October 2020

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

Sites acquired by the Board must meet or, upon improvement be able to meet, the specifications set out by the Bboard. The Board may meet in closed session to discuss potential purchases of sites.

Prior to remodeling or other construction of buildings and sites, the Board has the discretion to appoint a committee of consultants, employees, citizens, or others to assist in developing the specifications for the new or improved buildings and sites. These specifications will be consistent with the education program, and will provide the architect with the information necessary to determine what is expected from the facility. 

The education specifications shall 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.

The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the Board regarding the specifications of buildings and sites.

Approved:  September 2007
Reviewed:  October 2020
Revised:     October 2020

The Board supports economic development in Iowa, particularly in the local community. Construction contracts will be made in the local community or from Iowa-based companies if the bids submitted are comparable in quality and can be received without additional cost in comparison to those submitted by other bidders. The Board has the authority to approve or reject construction contracts.

Prior to the approval of a construction contract, except emergency construction, the Board may review methods for financing the project. The Board may use the means it deems necessary to pay for the purchase of sites and construction. In determining the means of financing for these purposes, the Board shall consider the financial condition of the District and the uses allowed for District monies.

The Superintendent shall analyze the various methods of financing for the purchase of sites and construction and make a recommendation to the Board.

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 certify that the emergency repairs are necessary to prevent the closing of a school. 

The District will comply with the competitive quote process for those projects subject to the competitive quote law. The Board shall approve all quotes for projects subject to the competitive quote law. The Superintendent or designee will determine the process for obtaining quotes for projects below the competitive quote limit.

The award of construction contracts will generally  be made to the lowest responsible bidder. The Board, at 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 District.

The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the Board for construction contract bids including the reason. However, an Officer of the Board shall formally recommend to the Board which bid to accept.

Approved:  September 2007
Reviewed:  October 2020
Revised:     October 2020

Construction authorized by the Board must be supervised for proper execution. The Board will tour the completed construction area before allowing final payment on the project.

The architect shall supervise construction projects of the District as they are completed. The Superintendent or designee shall work closely with the architect and provide the Board with progress reports at each meeting until the construction is completed.

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Approved: September 2007
Reviewed:  October 2020