CODE: 7110
SECTION: CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING AND RENOVATION
LONG-RANGE NEEDS DETERMINATION
The significance of providing school facilities that enhance the district's educational program is recognized by the board. To assure a comprehensive approach, 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 feelings of people about their schools.
4. Changing make-up of our population as to age distribution, educational levels, and the like.
5. Community planning and zoning.
6. Financial ability of the school district.
7. Safety and welfare of pupils.
8. Relationship between the projected new facilities and those already in existence.
9. Prudent spending reflecting full value for each tax dollar expended.
10. Use of technology for educational and administrative purposes.
The Superintendent of Schools is directed to establish such administrative arrangements as he may consider necessary to determine such needs. 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.
General Specifications
1. Administrative Structure--The present grade grouping of elementary schools, intermediate schools, and high schools, shall be used in planning new buildings.
2. Location of Buildings--The concept of the neighborhood school for elementary children is acknowledged. New schools shall be located as near the centers of student population as is possible. Consideration shall be given to traffic arteries and hazards, and every effort shall be made to minimize transportation problems and expense.
3. Size of Schools and Sites--New schools shall be large enough to provide a full educational program and small enough to provide for individuality.
4. Class Size--The board of education in recognition of its responsibilities to students, teachers, and the taxpayers authorizes the Superintendent of Schools and his staff to plan classes or sections within the following guidelines:
Specialized groups such as gym classes, team teaching, remedial reading, instrumental music, classes for students with disabilities, etc., are not included in the above category.
Instructional Needs Projections
Projecting educational programs shall be the general responsibility of the elementary and secondary supervisors, augmented by recommendations of selected educational program committees.
Planning for new school construction shall incorporate program recommendations, subsequently approved by the board. Flexibility shall be maintained to accommodate anticipated changes in the educational program.
Site Development
A. Site
The Board believes that site selection and development should start from the premise that the school is an integral and inseparable part of the total community. Since the school is a community institution, it should reflect this relationship physically as well as ideologically.
The manner and extent to which a site serves a school district's educational needs should be considered as only one aspect of its adequacy. Its adequacy should also be appraised in respect to its potential for contributing to the scope and depth of many other functions in the community.
The state legislature has charged local school boards in this state with the sole responsibility for selecting school sites and this authority cannot be delegated. The processes of selection, however, concerns the entire administrative and supervisory staffs, and others with special skills and insights. The Superintendent of Schools, therefore, is instructed to establish such criteria and procedures as are necessary to assure the citizens and Board that the best possible sites are being acquired for the least expenditure of public funds.
B. Site Selection/Acquisition
The Board believes that early and long-range planning is the wisest and best policy.
The Board looks with favor on taking options on such sites that conform to the criteria of the Board of such sites.
The Superintendent of Schools, working with his administrative staff and such other outside consultants as he may desire, shall apply the Board's criteria in searching for and taking options on new possible sites to recommend to the Board.
The selection and acquisition of sites will be subject to final approval by the Board and a public referendum.
C. Landscaping
Landscaping plans shall be prepared as part of architectural services for new buildings.
The Board encourages the participation of the PTA, local garden clubs and other interested organizations in the implementation of approved landscaping plans.
To the extent permitted by site topography and site improvements and where economically feasible, all trees, shrubs, and desirable vegetation shall be preserved in conjunction with the Planning Board and in conformance with the Township Master Plan.
Existing Facilities Use
The extent of new construction shall be determined by the increase in enrollment, adopted pupil-teacher ratios, changing educational programs, the condition of existing facilities, and within the present and projected budgetary limitations.
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.
Planning for major rehabilitation and remodeling will be incorporated in the school facilities master plan on a scheduled basis.
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000