STATEMENT OF GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR BUILDINGS AND SITES
The primary purpose of the school building program is to provide the best environment in which to achieve the educational objectives of the school district.
The Board of Directors has full and final responsibility for the selection of sites, employment of personnel, contracting for services, approval of plans, authorization and acceptance of bids, and payment for work performed on contractual agreements; the Board also has the responsibility for final acceptance or rejection of work done. All related actions should be taken only on the basis of official Board resolutions, passed upon formal recommendations from district administrators at legal Board meeting.
The Superintendent shall be responsible for organizing and coordinating the efforts of the various individuals and groups to best achieve the established educational objectives of the building program, and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
SITE SPECIFICATIONS
The Board of Directors shall accept as its minimum standards the site specifications issued by the Iowa State Department of Public Instruction. The Board of Directors may adopt more rigorous standards over and above the State specifications, if such additional requirements are deemed necessary and beneficial to the school district.
Legal References: Iowa Code Section 297.7
Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.9(1)
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
SELECTION OF AN ARCHITECT
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 of Directors for its consideration and official approval before any architect is hired for a specific project under consideration.
Legal References: Iowa Code Sections 118.16; 118.19; 297.7
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR BUILDING
The Superintendent and his/her staff, with the help of consultants, citizen advisory groups, and the Board of Directors, 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 suite, 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.
Legal References: Iowa Administrative Code Sections 670-5.9(3); 670-5.9(5) and (6);
670-5.9(8) through(11)
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
PRELIMINARY BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS
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 with educational specifications, financial data, and other pertinent information necessary to the architect's planning.
The architect shall make revisions to the plans until a consensus of opinion is reached and approval is given by the Board of Directors.
Legal References: Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.9(3)
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
AREA EDUCATION AGENCY BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS
In accordance with state law, the Board shall inform the Area Education Agency Board (AEA) of the area in which the school district is located of buildings and site plans. The AEA shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors of the school district proposing the issuance of general obligation bonds, the boards of contiguous districts, and the AEA Board to discuss enrollment trends of the district and solutions to enrollment change problems.
The Board of Directors of this district will consider the recommendations of the AEA Board before setting a date for the election to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds.
Legal References: Iowa Code Section 297.7
Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.9(1)
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
FINAL BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS
The architect and/or engineer will present the final construction specifications to the Board for its approval prior to advertisement for bids. The specifications shall include a life cycle cost analysis. These specifications shall have the endorsement of the State Fire Marshal, City/County Engineer, the State Health Department, and the Division for Planning of the State Department of Public Instruction.
Legal References: Iowa Code Sections 118, 297.7; 407.3
Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.9(4)
Attorney General Rulings: O.A.G. (Pillars) May 17, 1974
Court Cases: Cedar Rapids Comm. School District, Linn County v. City of Cedar Rapids, 1961, 252 Iowa 205, 106 N.W. 2d 655
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
FINANCING SITES AND CONSTRUCTION
The Board of Directors shall, as needed, use any means of financing construction and site purchase provided for under the Code of Iowa. The Board may also use money received from gifts, and money derived from the sale of school buildings and/or sites.
Legal References: Iowa Code Sections 23; 75; 278.1; 279.41; 296; 297.5; 297.22; 298.9; 298.21; 565.6
Attorney General Rulings: O.A.G. 1936, p. 423; O.A.G. (Allen) Nov. 24, 1971; O.A.G. (Pillers) July 30, 1974; O.A.G. 1938, p. 167;O.A.G. July 25, 1979; O.A.G. Nov. 17, 1979; O.A.G. Nov. 20, 1979
Court Cases: Harney v. Clear Creek Comm. School District. 1967, 261 Iowa 315, 154 N.W. 2d 88. Liggett v. Abbott, 1921, 192 IA, 742.185 N.W. 569
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT BIDDING
The Board of Directors 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 education program while allowing a variety of contractors to compete for the project. The Board of Directors 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 of Directors to approve construction contracts.
Except in the case of emergency construction, review of the plans by the Iowa State Department of Education, a public hearing, and competitive sealed bids are required for all construction contracts in excess of $25,000. The Board shall advertise the public hearing in a newspaper designated for official publication in the district at least 10 days prior to the hearing. The Board shall advertise for competitive sealed bids by publishing two notices, the first notice shall be published no later than 15 days prior to the date bids will be received, in a newspaper designated for official publication within the county in which the work is to be done. In the case of emergency construction, a certificate stating the need for it shall be obtained from the area education agency administrator.
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, availability of service and/or repair, and completion date. The Board of Directors shall have the right to reject any or all bids and readvertise. The superintendent of schools shall recommend to the Board with whom the contract should be made. A contract, which has been awarded, may be cancelled by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the superintendent of schools, who shall state the reasons for the recommendation to the Board.
Legal References: Iowa Code Chapters 72 and 73 (1985)
Iowa Code Secs. 23.2, 23.18, 297.7 and 297.8 (1985)
Iowa Code Sec. 18.6(9) (as amended by S.F. 2049, 71st G.A. 2d Sess.)
Cross Reference: 803.1 Purchasing and Bidding
902.2/902.3 Request for Improvements/Emergency Repairs
902.9 Life Cycle Analysis
Adopted: January 12, 1987
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
The Superintendent of schools--in cooperation with administrative, faculty, and maintenance personnel--shall develop and administer a comprehensive maintenance schedule for the general care and housekeeping of all buildings, equipment, and grounds of the school district. This schedule shall include provisions establishing the proper lines of authority in carrying out the work.
Legal Reference: Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.8(280A)
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
REQUEST FOR IMPROVEMENTS/EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Requests for improvements to or repairs of school 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:
1. Any staff member shall do all in his or her power to correct the emergency as needs dictate; or
2. Any staff member shall, if he or she is unable to correct or control the emergency, immediately report the situation to maintenance staff.
When the emergency repairs costing more than $25,000 are necessary to prevent the closing of any school as certified by the Administrator of the Area Education Agency, the legal provisions related to bidding shall not apply.
The school district may also petition the state board to receive approval to assess and levy tax and maintain an emergency fund.
Legal References: Iowa Code Sections 24.6; 297.8
Attorney General Rulings: O.A.G. 1925, 1926, p. 444
Cross References: 803.1 Purchasing and Bidding
901.10 Construction Contract Bidding
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL RISKS RIGHT TO KNOW
The Board of Education recognizes the necessity to transmit information by means of a comprehensive hazard communication program, which includes container labeling, material safety data sheets and employee training, and to transmit that program to district employees, the community and to Emergency Response personnel.
Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Board of Education to develop and implement a program to comply with the "Right to Know Law and Rules." The program shall be administered by the Superintendent of Schools or a Designee.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code chapters 88 and 455D
Adopted: February 8, 1988
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
DISPOSITION OF OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that whenever any furnishings, equipment, and/or supplies valued at or less than $1,000* have been declared obsolete by the administration, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall be authorized to dispose of such items at the best possible price. The funds derived from such sales shall be forwarded to the secretary of the Board, who shall credit the proper fund.
Whenever any furnishings, equipment, and/or supplies valued at greater than $1,000* but less than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) have been declared obsolete by the administration, the Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the Board on the most appropriate means to sell or dispose of the property. If the property is valued at twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more, the question will be placed on the ballot at a regular or special election.
* any amount up to $25,000
Legal Reference: Iowa Code Sections 297.7; 297.15 through 297.25; 297.41
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
INVENTORY
An annual inventory of all furniture and other equipment shall be maintained under the supervision of the Superintendent of Schools. All items of equipment that are not consumable shall be included in the annual inventory.
Cross Reference: 805.5 Inventory
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
ADAPTATION FOR THE HANDICAPPED
All new buildings will comply with the standards and specifications set forth in federal and state law to ensure that these buildings and facilities are accessible to and function satisfactorily for the handicapped.
All remodeling of existing facilities shall comply with the "Standard Specifications for Making Building and Facilities Accessible to and Usable by the Physically Handicapped," on file in the district's administrative offices.
Legal Reference: P.L. 94-142, Education For All Handicapped Children Act of 1975
Sec. 504, Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Iowa Code Chapter 104A
Iowa Administrative Code 670-5.8(280A); 670-5.9(5)
A.D.A.
Cross Reference: 602.1 Nondiscrimination on Basis of Sex or Handicap
602.6 Special Education
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM FIRE
Every new or remodeled building is to have at least two means of exit from each story, and shall be equipped with fire prevention and fire fighting equipment as outlined in Chapter 103 of the Iowa Code.
Legal References: Iowa Code Chapter 103
Court Cases; Coleman v. Hall, 1968, 161N.W. 2d 329
Cross Reference: 507.5 Emergency Plans & Drills
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
School district facilities, including school vehicles and school grounds, are off limits for tobacco use, including the use of nicotine products that are not FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved for tobacco cessation. This requirement extends to students, employees and visitors. This policy applies at all times, including school-sponsored and non-school-sponsored events. Persons failing to abide by this request are required to extinguish their smoking material, dispose of the tobacco/nicotene product, or leave the school district premises immediately. It is the responsibility of the administration to enforce this policy.
Legal Reference: Goals 2000: Educate America Act, Pub. L. No. 103-227, 108 Stat. 125 (1994).
Iowa Code §§ 142B; 279.8, .9; 297 (2003).
Cross Reference: 1004.1 Community Use of School Facilities & Equipment
Adopted: February 8, 1988
Reviewed: September 19, 1994
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
March 13, 2017
Revised: October 1989
December 20, 2004
March 13, 2017
LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS
Plans for the construction of all new buildings and plans for major remodeling of existing facilities shall include a "life cycle cost analysis." The analysis will consider certain costs of owning using and operating a building over its economic life, including but not limited to the following:
1. initial costs;
2. system repair and replacement costs;
3. maintenance costs;
4. operating costs, including energy costs;
5. salvage value.
The "life cycle analysis" shall be approved by the Board of Directors before any contracts for construction or renovation are let.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code Chapter 470
Adopted: March 10, 1986
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
TROPHY DISPLAY AND RETIREMENT
DISPLAY
Trophy cases will be maintained at the High School building.
The trophy case inside the main school building doorway will hold all awards and trophies won by HMS High School students for a minimum of one school year.
The trophy case outside of the gymnasium will contain all trophies and awards which reflect state recognition or participation by our school and students. Trophies will remain in this case for perpetuity.
This policy will not affect any awards or trophies presently displayed in the HMS Middle School in Sanborn.
RETIREMENT
At the time of retirement, trophies presently displayed at the high school building in the trophy cases will be listed, inventoried, and advertised in the local newspapers.
Those individuals who are interested in acquiring one of those trophies may call or stop in at the high school building to claim the trophy(ies). After a waiting period of one week, they may be picked up. If more than one person desires the same trophy, a lottery system will be used in the selection process.
If there is no interest shown in a particular trophy(ies) a class representative will be contacted about possible dispersal at the next class reunion.
After making every possible effort to contact those who may be interested in the trophies, local businesses will be contacted about displaying them for the public.
Adopted: January 9, 1995
Reviewed: March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
Revised: March 15, 2004
LEASE, SALE, OR DISPOSAL OF SCHOOL PROPERTY OR BUILDINGS
The Board recognizes the need to maintain an adequate amount of real property and building space in order for the district to meet the requirements of its long range facilities plan and to obtain the objectives of the district's educational program. All decisions regarding the lease, sale, or disposal of school property shall be made by the Board after considering the best interests of the district's educational program and the most efficient use of public funds.
The superintendent of schools shall be responsible for coordinating the action necessary for the Board to accomplish the lease, sale, or disposal of school property, including student-constructed buildings, in accordance with its policies and Iowa law. Prior to its lease, sale or disposal, all property, unless otherwise exempted, shall be appraised. Property valued under $25,000 may be leased, sold, or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the Board of Directors. A public hearing will be held in the district on the proposed lease, sale, or disposal of property valued at $25,000 or more to allow the district's citizens to share their viewpoints with the Board prior to its final decision on the property.
In the case of a sale, advertisements for bids on the property shall be placed in a newspaper designated for official publication in the district with at least one advertisement each week for two consecutive weeks. The Board shall consider the bids no sooner than two weeks and not later than 6 months after the second publication, and accept the best bid. However, if all of the bids are deemed inadequate by the Board , the Board may decline to sell the property.
Real property involved in a transaction between the Board and a county, a municipal corporation, a school district, or a township is exempt from the appraisal requirements, the advertisement requirements, and the sale requirements stated in this policy if the real property is within the jurisdiction of the parties involved in the transaction.
A lease of a portion of a school building for 5 years or less, in which the remaining portion of the building will be used for school purposes, is exempt from the property valuation limitation and appraisal requirements stated in this policy.
In the case of the razing of a district building at a cost of $25,000 or more, the Board will advertise and take bids for the purpose of awarding the contract for the project in the same manner stated in Policy Code No. 803.1.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code Secs. 297.15-297.25 (1985 & Supp. 1985 as amended by H.F. 2407, 71st G.A. 2d Sess.).
Cross References: 900.0 Guiding Principles for Building and Sites.
902.5 Disposition of Obsolete Equipment.
803.1 Purchasing and Bidding
Adopted: January 12, 1987
Reviewed: February 13, 1995
March 8, 1999
January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015
PUBLIC CONDUCT ON SCHOOL PREMISES
School sponsored or approved activities are an important part of the school program and offer students the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities not offered during the regular school day. School sponsored or approved activities are provided for the enjoyment and opportunity for involvement they afford the students.
Spectators are permitted to attend school sponsored or approved activities only as guests of the school district, and, accordingly as a condition of such permission, they must comply with the school district’s rules and policies. Spectators will not be allowed to interfere with the enjoyment of the students participating, other spectators or with the performance of employees and officials supervising the school sponsored or approved activity. Spectators, like the student participants, are expected to display mature behavior and sportsmanship. The failure of spectators to do so is not only disruptive but embarrassing to the students, the school district and the entire community.
To protect the rights of students to participate without fear of interference, and to permit the sponsors and officials of sponsored or approved activities to perform their duties without interference, the following provisions are in effect:
• Abusive, verbal or physical conduct of spectators directed at participants, officials or sponsors of sponsored or approved activities or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
• Verbal or physical conduct of spectators that interferes with the performance of students, officials, or sponsors participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
• The use of vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression directed at students, officials or sponsors participating in a sponsored or approved activity or at other spectators will not be tolerated.
If a spectator at a sponsored or approved activity becomes physically or verbally abusive, uses vulgar, obscene or demeaning expression, or in any way impedes the performance of an activity, the spectator may be removed from the event by the individual in charge of the event and the superintendent may recommend the exclusion of the spectator at future sponsored or approved activities.
Upon recommendation of the superintendent, the board shall cause a notice of exclusion from sponsored or approved activities to be sent to the spectator involved. The notice shall advise the spectator of the school district’s right to exclude the individual from school district activities and events and the duration of the exclusion. If the spectator disobeys the school official or district’s order, law enforcement authorities may be contacted and asked to remove the spectator. If a spectator has been notified of exclusion and thereafter attends a sponsored or approved activity, the spectator shall be advised that his/her attendance will result in prosecution. The school district may obtain a court order for permanent exclusion from future school sponsored or approved activities.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 716.7 (1999)
Adopted: August 16, 1999
Reviewed: January 19, 2004
March 2009
February 22, 2010
June 28, 2010
October 12, 2015