Butte School District

School Facilities

9210

Site Acquisition; Architect and Engineering Services; Educational Specifications

Site Acquisition

The District will attempt to acquire building sites in advance of the actual construction of facilities, in order to minimize delay in construction projects and to realize financial savings to the District. The Board will periodically review its inventory of land in light of growth trends in the District and make such transactions as it determines shall best meet the future needs of the District.

In acquiring a new site, the Board must first secure the approval of the qualified electors before any contract for the purchase of such site is entered into, except that trustees may take an option on a site prior to the site approval election. The Board may acquire property contiguous to a school site in use without such vote. Site approval also is not necessary if it was specifically mentioned in a fund-raising issue which was subsequently approved by the electorate.

Bonds

The Board may issue or redeem bonds in any manner as provided by law.

Architect and Engineering Services

The Superintendent or designee shall invite architects and/or engineers to express interest in performing such necessary planning services for the District. Advertising shall be designed to reach a wide geographical area to help insure gender and minority applicant consideration.

Interested firms will be requested to submit qualifications and performance data to enable the Board to determine which architectural or engineering firm will best serve the needs of the District. Criteria for selection of a firm shall include, but not be limited to, quality and breadth of staff, design of similar projects, production capability, supervision and quality control, relationship with clients, cost estimates, and budget control.

The Superintendent is directed to establish necessary procedures to solicit and screen qualified engineers and architects. The Superintendent shall recommend one or more firms to the Board for its consideration. The Board and the successful architectural or engineering firm shall enter into a contract for the necessary services. In the event the Board and the selected firm are unable to negotiate a fair and reasonable fee, the trustees may select another firm, provided reasonable public notice of the selection is given.

Educational Specifications

Facilities shall be designed to accommodate the educational and instructional needs of the District. The professional experience and judgment of staff shall be solicited in developing such educational specifications. The law requires that special attention be given to accessibility to the education program by students of both genders and those with disabilities. The Superintendent shall see that all construction projects comply with the requirements for accessibility for individuals with disabilities and comparability between the genders. The architect shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, including access for individuals with disabilities and requirements for gender comparability.

When the Board considers major remodeling or building a facility, it shall endeavor to seek facility expertise in all affected program areas, as well as comments from faculty, students, and community.

Legal Reference:
§§ 20-9-400, et seq., MCA School Bonds
§ 20-6-621, MCA Selection of school sites – approval election
§ 20-6-603, MCA Trustees’ authority to acquire or dispose of sites and buildings – when election required
§ 20-6-631, MCA When contracts for architectural services required
§ 20-6-633, MCA Hiring for architectural services authorized
§ 18-2-113, MCA Architects on public buildings to be certified
§ 18-2-114, MCA Seal and signature of architect on plans
10.55.908, ARM School Facilities

Policy History:
Adopted on: 10/18/04
Revised on: