F—FACILITIES PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT GOALS/PRIORITY OBJECTIVES
As the Board seeks to overcome deficiencies in its physical plant, it will strive to provide new and remodeled facilities that will offer the best possible physical environment for learning and teaching.
The Board aims specifically toward:
A. New buildings and renovations that will accommodate and facilitate those new organizational and instructional patterns that support the school system’s educational philosophy and instructional goals;
B. Meeting all safety requirements through the remodeling of older structures;
C. Providing such building renovations as needed to meet requirements on the availability of public school facilities to individuals with disabilities; and
D. Building design and construction that will lend to low maintenance costs and the conservation of energy. These two factors will also be given special consideration in the renovation of buildings.
Decisions pertaining to educational specifications of new buildings and those undergoing extensive remodeling will be developed only after the viewpoints of teachers, students and parents have been sought.
Adopted: June 10, 2003
M.S.A.D. #4
FACILITIES PLANNING
The Board recognizes that educational programs are substantially influenced by the environment within which they function. The development of a quality educational program and school facilities which help to implement it go hand in hand.
It is the Board’s goal to provide the appropriate facilities needed for the number of students in the unit and to provide the kind of facilities that will best support and accommodate the educational program. To this end, there should always be a five-year facilities plan on file with the Board, which is updated every two years.
In planning facilities, the Board recognizes that capital outlay funds are limited and that it must establish priorities in order to make the best use of the school building dollar.
Architects employed by the Board are expected to plan for high educational utility and flexibility; access to and use by the disabled; sound economics; low long-range maintenance costs and energy efficiency; low insurance rates; and quality of design.
New buildings and/or renovations to existing buildings shall be in accordance with the organizational patterns established by the Board and shall be designed to fit current as well as anticipated instructional programs.
For each building project, a School Building Committee will be appointed and charged with the responsibility of facilities planning. The authority and responsibilities of this Committee shall be detailed by the Board at the time of appointment.
Decisions pertaining to the construction of educational facilities will be made after consultation with professional staff, students, parents and citizens.
All plans and procedures shall be in compliance with federal and state law, and all regulations of the Maine Department of Education shall be complied with in all stages of facilities planning and construction.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 15902
Adopted: June 10, 2003
M.S.A.D. #4
FACILITIES FUNDING AND CONSTRUCTION
When there is a need for school construction, the Board shall request the necessary state approval to begin planning. Upon determination of the cost of the construction, the Board shall approve a bond issue for the amount needed and shall take the necessary steps for presenting the issue for public approval.
If the voters approve the bond issue, construction planning shall proceed. Award of the construction contract shall be made after advertisement for bids and shall be given to the low bidder who meets all requirements, including the state’s code of fair practices (equal opportunity employment).
During the construction period, the Board shall determine who shall be its agent for approving changes in specifications and/or cost changes (an administrator, construction supervisor, Board committee, or other). The Board shall itself retain final approval over all but minor decisions concerning construction.
Legal Reference: 20-A MRSA § 15909
Adopted: June 10, 2003
M.S.A.D. #4
EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION
To ensure that all new facilities and/or major renovations are designed and built to serve the school system’s educational program, the Superintendent shall be charged with detailing educational specifications for all new buildings. Specifications with Board approval will be presented to the School Building Committee for use by the architect.
In developing specifications, the Superintendent shall draw on recommendations from citizens, professional and non-professional staff, students and community groups.
Specifications shall include but not be limited to:
A. Organization and estimated enrollment in the proposed building;
B. Description of students to be served;
C. Description of proposed teaching methods and curriculum;
D. Space requirements; and
E. Architect's floor plans and layouts of special areas and specifications for equipment needed in these areas.
Adopted: June 10, 2003
M.S.A.D. #4
NAMING OF FACILITIES
The naming of new or the renaming of existing facilities is the responsibility of the Board of Directors. Prior to the selection of a name the matter shall be referred to an advisory committee composed of a representative of each town in the SAD, two board of director members, staff, and students who are selected by the board chair. Recommendations by the advisory committee shall be presented to the board of directors for final vote and approval.
In the event of a requested public or student vote for the naming of the facility the suggested names shall have prior approval from the board of directors.
Adopted: January 11, 2005
M.S.A.D. #4