New Construction
General Policy Statement
Providing for proper school plant facilities is a major responsibility of the
board and the
district administration. The design of the school plant, adequacy of
space, and flexibility
of use, all combine to affect the instructional program.
Since school construction is costly and buildings when constructed become a
permanent
part of the community to be used by large numbers of people, great care must
be taken
to be sure that the facilities will be appropriately designed for best use
both now and in
the future.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Determining Needs
The significance of providing school facilities that enhance the district's
educational
program is recognized by the board. To assure a comprehen-sive approach
to
projecting and planning needs, at least the following aspects of need will be
considered:
1. The expanding and changing educational program of the district
2. Relations with the total community and projected developments in
those relationships over the years
3. Plant and site aesthetics as they affect the education of pupils and
the feelings of people about their schools
4. The changing make-up of our population as to age distribution,
educational levels, and the like
5. Community planning and zoning
6. The financial ability of the school district
7. The safety and welfare of pupils
8. The relationship between the projected new facilities and those
already in existence
9. True economy reflecting full value for each tax dollar expended
The superintendent is directed to establish such administrative arrangements
as he may
consider necessary to determine such need. In so doing, he may draw upon
a wide
range of resources, including the area utility, commercial, industrial, and
governmental
entities, as well as the district staff and educational consultants.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Forecasting Enrollments
Enrollment forecasts shall be prepared under the direction of the
superintendent,
utilizing current enrollment information supplemented with data furnished by
the county
planning office.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Forecasting Enrollments
Methods for forecasting enrollment shall consist of the following:
1. Public facility plan projections
2. Periodic student census
3. Principals' reports for current and projected enrollment
4. Review and evaluation of proposed rezoning
5. Review of approved building permits
6. Information submitted by builder and developers
7. Reports indicating anticipated and approved number of dwelling units
resulting from submitted site plans
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Evaluating Existing Buildings
All existing school facilities will be evaluated periodically for their
spatial, thermal, visual,
sonic, and aesthetic requirements in terms of the desired educational
programming.
In addition to the inspections provided by other district personnel, planning
for major
rehabilitation and remodeling will be incorporated in the school facilities
master plan on a
scheduled basis.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Evaluating Existing Buildings
Procedures in evaluating existing buildings:
1. School principals shall provide periodic reports listing deficiencies noted
in their
building
2. Buildings shall be visited and surveyed by the board of education and
administrative staff
3. The administration shall utilize information developed through work-order
summaries of maintenance requests
4. Conferences shall be held with school administrative staff and faculty to
discuss
desired improvements
5. Existing buildings should be evaluated concurrently with addition planning
to
determine the comparative adequacy of existing facilities to current
standards
6. An up-to-date inventory of existing plans shall be maintained in accordance
with
school planning regulations.
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Determining Extent of New Construction
The extent of new construction shall be determined by the increase in
enrollment, by
adopted pupil-teacher ratios, by changing educational programs, by the
condition of
existing facilities, and within the present and projected budgetary
limitations.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Determining Extent of New Construction
1. Size, capacity, and number of buildings shall be determined by the
enrollment, both
current and anticipated.
2. Enrollment information shall be obtained from county agencies, and the
school
administration.
3. Educational program shall be prepared and translated into the architectural
program.
4. Special and community use of facilities shall be considered and provided
for to the
extent approved by the board.
5. New construction shall be provided when modification or expansion of
existing
facilities is not feasible.
6. Changes or additions may result from revised pupil-teacher ratios.
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Developing Education Specifications
To insure that facilities being planned have a design best suited to
implementing the
educational program, the superintendent will provide for the establishment of
educational specifications that will apply in the planning and building of
school facilities.
The educational specifications will include at least the following:
1. Description of the pupils to be housed (e.g., age level, level of
intelligence,
physical normality or abnormality)
2. The kinds of educational activities to be carried on (e.g., vocational
heavy
emphasis on typing, or science, or rehabilitation)
3. The kinds and quantities of furniture and equipment needed
4. The relationships among areas of plant and site (e.g., band room and
library;
playing fields and locker rooms; front office and general school control)
5. Special site consideration of aesthetics, traffic patterns, cooperative
community
use, and the like
6. Any other kinds of unique information that will give guidance to an architect
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Developing Education Specifications
Educational specifications are written after consultation and study with
committees of
teachers, administrators, consultants, maintenance technicians, and
citizens. Upon
completion, specifications are reviewed by the faculty members affected by the
specifications, presented to the board, and then presented to the
architect.
Generally, the content of a set of educational specifications would include
all or part of
the following items:
I. A statement of the educational philosophy as it pertains to the
specific construction project
II. Community and school characteristics:
A. The plan of organization and expected enrollments of the school
1. Grade levels
2. Maximum expected enrollments, with trends and projections,
if necessary
B. The construction plan for this facility:
1. An addition, complete unit, expandable unit, or a phased
program leading to a complete facility
C. Special services to be provided:
1. Guidance programs
2. Social workers' programs
3. Provision for exceptional children
4. Others
New Construction
Developing Education Specifications (continued)
D. Special provision for community use:
1. Cooperative park, school arrangements
2. Parent-Teacher Associations
3. Community athletic programs
4. Civil Defense
5. Others
E. The extent to which the adult educational program will use this
facility. Provisions to be made to implement this program.
F. The extent to which the student will be transported and the
facilities required to handle this service adequately.
G. Cafeteria services to be provided and the maximum number likely
to be served.
H. The policy regarding multiple use of spaces.
I. Other pertinent data relating to the project.
III. Site characteristics:
A. Site considerations to be made for this project
1. Site size and location defined
2. Recommended building orientation:
a. Service drives
b. Parking requirements for staff, students, and public
c. Sidewalk and other approaches
d. Outside lighting
New Construction
Developing Education Specifications (continued)
IV. Requirements of the physical plant
A. Instructional spaces required:
1. The elementary school: Each space to be described by
a. Number of spaces required
b. Floor area needed
c. Location in respect to other facilities
d. Activities requiring special type of construction
2. The secondary school: A statement of instructional purpose is
to precede the description of each specialized area. Each
classroom space is identified by :
a. Number of spaces required
b. Floor area needed
c. Location in respect to other facilities
d. Special construction requirements for certain facilities
(soundproofing, additional ventilation, etc.)
B. Non-instructional spaces required (elementary and secondary):
1. Each page to be identified
2. Number of facilities required
3. Floor area requirements
C. Orientation of spaces:
1. Relationship between instructional and non-instructional
spaces
2. Relationship of spaces to site
3. Interrelationship between instructional areas
New Construction
Developing Education Specifications (continued)
D. Environmental controls:
1. Lighting quantity and quality
2. Acoustical properties and noise control
3. Aesthetic qualities interior and exterior
4. Heating and/or cooling
5. Ventilation
6. Properties of the floor, wall and ceiling finishes
7. Color--in certain instances
8. Safety requirements
E. Additional information or comments necessary to further
interpret the educational program into an efficient school
building
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Patterns of Participation
Educational programs are neither unchanging nor simple to incorporate into a
facility
plan. Anticipation of program change makes flexible buildings necessary,
so that the
period of "updatedness" is extended. At the same time, it is necessary
to accommodate
the existing program. The natural interest of parents, the professional
interest of
educators, the public relations interest of the board, the neighborhood
development
interest of local residents, and the varied interest of many others both
complicate the
program and challenge the abilities of all concerned with school planning.
The school construction program must represent the cooperative endeavors of
many
people. Its success is a measure of the ability of many functionaries to
cooperate. No
single person or group isolated from the overall educational process can
satisfactorily
design a school building that is intended to the enhance the instructional
program of
others. Organization and communication in planning school facilities are
tantamount to
success.
To insure that the school construction program proceeds as smoothly and
rapidly as
possible, the following step-by-step process for planning and building shall
be utilized.
Generally speaking, a school construction program involves four broad
phases:
1. Identifying school building needs
2. Planning the school plant
3. Constructing the building
4. Accepting and using the plant.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
7121
New Construction
Patterns of Participation Involving the Staff
When the school district contemplates new construction or remodeling, the
employee
organizations shall be advised. When the proposed construction pertains
to an existing
school, up to three members of the planning committee will be appointed by the
respective employee organizations from the staff of that school. When
the proposed
construction is for a new school or other building, up to three
representatives of the
planning committee will be appointed by the employee organizations.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Involving the Public
New educational programs, proposed new construction, and/or innovations in
educational methods shall be discussed in public at regular board meeting
and/or with
local citizen groups or selected committees.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Involving the Public
1. Committees may be appointed by the board to study specific areas of
educational interest or planning.
2. Meetings shall be scheduled as necessary to permit the public to
present views on matters affecting the particular community or
school.
3. The administrative staff shall be available on request to
supplement the
board during public presentation of matters involving educational
planning.
4. Visual aids (drawings, sketches, rendering, models, maps, charts, and
other statistical presentations) shall be provided for use at public
meetings.
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Using Educational Consultants
The board recognizes the complexities of providing physical facilities in a
rapidly growing
community. This responsibility is complicated by the demands for change
made by a
dynamic educational program.
Consultants and other appropriate resource personnel from state agencies,
colleges,
universities, planning laboratories, and consulting firms may be used to
augment school
system personnel, when needed and authorized by the superintendent of
schools.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Administration of Individual Projects
Planning Checklist for the Development of Individual Projects
1. Determine educational philosophy
2. Determine educational program
3. Identify facility needs
4. Assign priority to each need by school and by total school district
5. List priority needs
6. Visit school and determine extent of work listed
7. Meet with architect, principal, and others at school
8. Select site (if necessary)
9. Program:
a. Site
b. Budget
c. Spaces
d. Equipment
10. Have staff revise educational specifications
11. Review revised educational specifications with superintendent and
consultants
12. Make progress report to area supervisors
13. Examine preliminary drawings
14. Let principal and consultants review preliminary drawings
15. Revise preliminary drawings
16. Have preliminary drawings reviewed by:
a. State education department and/or state fire marshall
b. City fire marshall
c. School board representative (informal)
d. School board (formal)
17. Revise educational specifications to emerging plans
18. Make progress reports to area supervisors
19. Have working drawings developed
20. Review working drawings
21. Revise working drawings
New Construction
Administration of Individual Projects (continued)
22. Have working drawings reviewed by:
a. State department and/or state fire marshall
b. City fire marshall
c. Fire underwriters
d. School board representative (informal)
23. Obtain approval by school board (formal)
24. Have detailed drawings developed
25. Review and revise detailed drawings
26. Obtain state department approval (formal)
27. Prepare contract
28. Put contract out for bids
29. Receive bids
30. Awards bids
31. Start work or break ground
32. Work
a. 1/4 complete
b. 1/2 complete
c. 3/4 complete
d. complete
33. Make preliminary inspection
34. Occupy project
35. Hold dedication
36. Make final inspection
37. Accept construction (formal action by school board)
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Services of School Attorney
The services of the school attorney shall be available for legal counseling on
matters
pertaining to site acquisition, easements, dedication, contracts, contract
payments, liens
or claims, and such other matters as may arise.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Services of the School Attorney
1. The school board attorney shall review:
a. land purchase contracts.
b. construction contracts.
c. easements and/or permits for utilities.
d. title and deeds for dedicated sites.
e. the need for new legislation relative to special land use.
2. The attorney shall prepare:
a. titles and deeds.
b. settlement documents for land transfer.
c. condemnation documents for site and easement acquisition.
d. liens and claims.
e. deeds of dedication for right-of-way.
f. resolutions for board approval involving easements, rights-of-way,
and land sales.
3. The attorney shall provide legal representation during condemnation
proceedings, suits involving construction contracts and payments.
4. The attorney shall coordinate settlement and condemnation payments
for land and easement acquisition.
Rules approved: January, l975
Rules reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Relations with the Public
The board accepts its responsibility for keeping the public informed as to the
use of
bond funds for school facilities.
The office of the superintendent will provide informative news releases
through mass
media organs or by other means, as the superintendent deems necessary and
desirable.
Policy adopted: January, l975
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Relations with other Governmental Units
The board will work with state and federal agencies as prescribed by law, and
will in
addition cooperate with all governmental units in order to provide the best
school
facilities while obtaining the greatest efficiency and economy in the use of
the tax dollar.
Policy adopted: January, l974
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Relations with State Governmental Agencies
The board maintains and advocates cooperative relations with all state
governmental
agencies in the planning of educational facilities.
Policy adopted: January, l974
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Relations with Federal Governmental Units
Cooperative relations will be maintained with federal governmental units to
explore
areas of mutual benefit in planning improved educational facilities.
Policy adopted: January, l974
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Architectural and Engineering Services
The board of education will screen architectural applications and interview
firms that
apparently will meet the school district needs as developed by the school
staff and
citizens committee. The board of education will then select the
architect or architectural
firm to serve the district.
Policy adopted: January, l974
Policy reaffirmed: January, l995
New Construction
Engineer
The board shall employ certified engineers, at approved fee, to perform
professional
services for projects of limited scope involving planning design or study in
specialized
fields, such as site development, plumbing, heating, air conditioning,
structural,
foundations, electrical, communications, and others.
Legal Reference: R.R.S. 81-855 Engineers and architects; public buildings; supervision by registered engineer o architect required; exception. 79-443 District board; schools; supervision and control. 48-433 Building plans; duty of draftsman; violation; penalty
Services
The services provided by the engineer shall be
1. to develop appropriate designs for the required facilities within the
budget of the board.
2. to prepare feasibility studies of specialized systems.
3. to provide consulting services on technical matters, or in support
of legal
proceedings or public hearings.
4. to be responsible for all technical services included in the owner-
engineer agreement.
5. to render such other services requested by the board within the scope
of an agreement.
Fees
The engineer's fee shall be established by the board based on the type of
services to be
rendered and conditions involved.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Acquisition
Property acquisition for school purposes shall generally proceed in the following manner:
1. The property shall be appraised at current market value by two
competent appraisers.
2. Negotiations with the owner on the basis of the appraisals shall be made.
3. The purchase shall be consummated or condemnation proceedings shall
be
instituted.
Legal Reference: R.R.S. 79-4, 107 Eminent domain; power of the
district to exercise. 79-4, 114 Eminent domain; amount and
character of land authorized to be taken. 79-543 Real estate for future sites
outside district; acquire, own, manage, hold, erect buildings on, when;
annexation; effect.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Final
Final payment for architectural and/or engineering services may be rendered
only after
the project has been certified by the architect and/or engineer as completed
and the
project has been formally accepted by the board of education.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Final Payments to Contractors
Prior to final payment the contractor furnishes:
1. Five (5) copies of a report which lists the names of materials and
manufacturers used on the project.
2. As-built drawings (2 complete sets).
3. Building location and as-built topographic survey prepared by
registered engineer and certified correct.
Prior to approval of final payment, owner requires a statement of compliance
to be
provided by the architect, stating that the building and site work are
complete and
approved in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.
Policy adopted: January, l995
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Procedures—Bidding Construction Projects
The District shall bid every project for the construction, remodeling, or repair of any school-owned building or for site improvements when the contemplated expenditures for such project are forty thousand dollars or more. The bidding procedures shall comply with the requirements of state law and shall include the following:
1. Notice to Bidders: The Administration shall prepare a notice to bidders containing a general description of the scope of the project being bid; the location of the project; the means of obtaining project documents, including plans and specifications; the date and hour bids will close; and the date, hour and place bids are to be returned, received and opened, and a provision that such bids will be immediately and simultaneously opened in the presence of the bidder, or representatives of the bidders, when the hour is reached for the bids to close.
2. Regular Manner of Advertisement for Bids: The notice to bidders for any project shall be published one time in a newspaper of general circulation in the School District. The notice shall be published at least seven (7) days prior to the date designated for the opening of such bids. The Board of Education or Administration may, in its sole discretion, elect to utilize further advertisement for bids as it may determine appropriate to secure a sufficient number of qualified bidders for the scope of the project.
3. Bid Opening: When the hour is reached for such bids to close, bids will be immediately and simultaneously opened in the presence of the bidder, or representatives of the bidders.
4. Additional Procedures. Labor and material bonds in the amount of the contract shall be provided by the person to whom the contract is awarded in a sum not less than the contract price, except for projects with a total cost of five thousand dollars or less, unless required by the bid notice or contract documents. Each bid for which a labor and material bond is required shall be accompanied by a bid bond or certified check in the amount of five percent (5%) of such bid. The Board of Education or Administration may provide for additional procedures for the procurement, opening and acceptance of bids as deemed appropriate for a particular project.
Legal Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §73-101 et seq.; Neb. Rev. Stat. §73-106; Neb. Rev. Stat. §52-118
Adopted: July 12, 2004.
New Construction
Justification of Change Orders
The board of education or its agent may make changes in the scope of the work
required to be performed by the contractor by making additions or omissions
without
invalidating the contract, without relieving or releasing the contractor from
any
obligations under the contract or any guarantee given pursuant to the contract
provisions, without affecting the validity of the guaranty bonds, and without
relieving or
releasing the surety of sureties of the bonds. All such work shall be
executed under the
items of the original contract unless expressly provided otherwise.
If applicable unit prices are not contained in the agreement, the architect
shall, before
ordering the contractor to proceed with desired changes, request and itemized
proposal
covering the work involved in the change after which the procedure shall be as
follows:
A. If the proposal is acceptable the architect shall prepare the
change order
for acceptance by the contractor;
B. Each change order shall include in its final form:
1. A detailed description of the change in the work;
2. The contractor's proposal (if any) or a conformed copy;
3. A definite statement as the resulting change in the contract
price and/or time;
4. The statement that all work involved in the change shall be
performed in accordance with contract requirements except as
modified by the change order.
C. No extra work shall be done nor any obligation incurred for
payment except
upon a written order fully signed by the owner's representative and
approved by the board of education. Such order shall state
the cost of
such extra work will be provided by the district.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Clerk-of-the-Works
The board may provide supervision through a building inspector
(Clerk-of-the-Works) on
a continuous or intermittent basis, depending on the size of the project, as
required by
state regulations.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Clerk-of-the-Works: Responsibilities and Duties
The clerk-of-the-works shall be responsible to the superintendent and the
board for the
supervision of all new building construction. Specific duties are as
follows:
1. To supervise daily all board construction work in progress.
2. To coordinate the work of the general contractor and other
contractors
to facilitate the progress of the construction.
3. To inspect all construction as it progresses, with authority to stop work
of any kind
pending a final decision of the architect and board.
4. To work with architect, board, and contractors to insure full compliance of
the plans
and specifications.
5. To cooperate and assist the maintenance department in the operation of
facilities
due to the knowledge and experience obtained during the installation and
operation
of the equipment during construction.
6. To act as liaison member between local officials, fire department, building
and
plumbing inspectors.
7. To initiate, schedule and examine installation of electric, gas and water
utility
services.
8. To recommend and advise board with respect to equipment, services and
facilities
to be incorporated in new construction.
9. To study review continuously new construction methods, procedures,
materials and
installations to insure practical, economical results in planning new
facilities.
Rule approved: January, l995
New Construction
Inspection of Completed Project
Completed projects shall be inspected in accordance with the contract for
architectural
and/or engineering services. Administrative staff inspections shall
include those
conducted by the superintendent of schools, the business manager or the
building
principal. Recommendations shall be made for the acceptance of the
building or
facilities to the board by the architect and/or engineer and the
superintendent of schools.
Acceptance of the completed project by the board of education will not be made
until the
board in official session has toured the facilities with the architect and/or
engineer and
the superintendent of schools.
Policy adopted: January, l995
New Construction
Recording Names of Board Members, Administrators, Architects, or Builders
All major building projects will be identified by a suitable plaque(s)
identifying the project, year completed, the names of the board members,
superintendent and the architectural firm.
Policy adopted: January, l995