CONCEPTS AND ROLES

Since school construction is costly, and buildings become a permanent part of the community to be used by large numbers of people, the School Board and the district administration must take great care to ensure that the facilities fully support the intended educational and community programs, may be altered conveniently and inexpensively to meet future educational and community needs, provide a healthful environment, and fit harmoniously and attractively into the community.

(cf. 1330  ‑ Use of School Facilities)

Role of the School Board

The School Board:

1.      Recommends to the borough assembly, city council, or Department of Education what buildings shall be built, when and where.

2.       Approves design criteria for school facilities.

3.       Seeks adequate financing for school facilities.

4.       Awards contracts to responsible bidders in the best interests of the district.

Role of the Superintendent or designee

The Superintendent or designee:

1.      Directs the planning of all educational features of new buildings or alterations of old buildings.

2.       Maintains overall responsibility for the preparation of the educational specifications and capital improvement plans for school facilities.

3.       Acts as authorized agent of the district in all official governmental interactions related to school facilities.

4.       Oversees the preparation of bids, award of contracts and, in collaboration with the architect, the construction.

Role of City Council (per statute)

The Council will:

1.       Approve selection of professional personnel to develop the design.

2.       Approve preliminary and subsequent design.

3.       Provide for all major rehabilitation, all construction, and major repair of school buildings.

(cf. 3311 ‑ Bids)

(cf. 3312 ‑ Contracts)

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.07.020 Duties of the department

14.08.101 Powers (regional school board)

14.14.060 Relationship between borough school district and borough

14.14.065 Relationship between city school district and city

35.15.010 ‑ 35.15.120 Construction procedures

35.27.020 Art requirements for public buildings and facilities

ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 AAC 31.010 ‑ 4 AAC 31.090 School facility planning and construction

4 AAC 31.900 Definitions

PLANNING

The Superintendent or designee shall, maintain an up‑to‑date facilities master plan. The plan shall reflect the current district educational specifications and capital improvement plan for school facility planning and construction.

Those qualitative factors considered may include, but not be limited to:

1.      State allocation building area standards.

2.       Maximum student capacity according to designated student‑teacher ratios.

3.       Current student capacity based on current district program requirements.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that proposed district facilities meet the educational needs of the students and conform to all planning requirements imposed by state and local governmental agencies.

The School Board recognizes the importance of having complete and factual information as the basis for developing and maintaining cooperation among district staff, parents/guardians, students, state and local governmental and planning agencies, and other business and community representatives in developing district plans.

To assure a comprehensive approach to projecting and planning needs the following elements shall be considered in planning school facilities:

1.      The expanding and changing educational program of the district including the number of children to be served and their specific educational needs.

2.       The impact of proposed facilities on the community and considerations regarding community use of the facilities.

3.       Safety and welfare of students.

4.       The relationship between existing and new facilities.

5.       Community planning and zoning requirements.

6.       Other site specific information which provides guidance in the planning of facilities.

7.       The forecasted enrollments and demographic factors.

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.11.011 Grant applications

14.11.020 Assumption of responsibilities

35.15.080 Local control of state public works projects

35.27.010 ‑ 35.27.030 Art works in public buildings and facilities

ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 AAC 31.010 - 4 AAC 31.090 School facility planning and construction

4 AAC 31.900 Definitions

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Upon approval by the School Board, the Superintendent or designee may contract for the services of an architect, engineer or land surveyor for any approved project in accordance with law.

(cf. 3312 ‑ Contracts)

The Superintendent or designee shall:

1.       Develop criteria for the selection of professional consultants.

2.       Recommend a list of professional consultants for Board approval.

3.       Provide pertinent information to facilitate Board approval on contracts for professional services.

4.       Provide a procedure for an administrative hearing for unsuccessful contractors in accordance with law.

Legal Reference:

ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 AAC 31.065 Selection of designers and construction managers

SITE SELECTION AND DEVELOPMENT

The School Board believes that site selection and development starts from the premise that the school is an integral part of the total community. The Board will solicit community input whenever a school site is to be selected. Besides serving our district's educational needs, an adequate site should show potential for contributing to other community needs and functions. In addition, the following factors shall be considered:

1.      Size of lot, current and future parking needs and outdoor facilities, such as tracks and fields.

2.       Soil and gradation considerations.

3.       Access to utilities.

4.       Conflicts with existing traffic patterns.

(cf. 0430 - Community School Program)

Legal References:

ALASKA STATUTES

14.14.060 Relationship between borough school district and borough

14.14.065 Relationship between city school district and city

ALASKA, ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

4 AAC 31.010 Educational specifications

4 AAC 31.025 Site acquisition and selection

4 AAC 31.080 Construction and acquisition of public school facilities

PROTECTION AND GUARANTEES

The Superintendent or designee shall protect the district real property interest during all phases of construction. Such interests may include, ­but are not limited to:

1.     A review of existing property insurance policies for coverage of new construction and preparation of such policies for conversion upon completion of new construction.

2.      Liability insurance for design errors, code violations, or lack of adherence to construction standards.

3.      Contractor performance bonds.

(cf. 3530 ‑ Risk management)