Agenda - 01-05-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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16b Suggested Questions Regarding 1986-87 School Facility Needs Survey The Association staff have developed a few questions which commissioners may wish to ask when the updated public school building needs estimates are presented to the board. Also, we have included a commentary after each question to provide background. 1. What are the reasons stated for listing •building (s) as obsolete and needing replacement? Comment: There are significant numbers of older school buildings which do not meet the state building code requirements. However, there may be other structures which are considered obsolete because they are not suitable in terms of present-day curriculum requirements or are not located in areas with sufficient student enrollment. 2. Does the six-year plan presented by the board of education take into account any existing unused classroom capacity in sound buildings? Comment: The answer to this question may be very important in terms of how your local board (s) of education accommodate new state funded teaching and support positions made available under the Basic Education Program. Existing school facilities that are up to code (e.g. safe and structurally sound) may have unused space to absorb some of these new state positions. The public school building standards contained in the Basic Education Program are guidelines at this point. The Public School Finance Reform Study Committee of the General Assembly has requested that the State Board of Education develop firm standards (requirements) that would apply to new construction. Existing structures that meet the state building safety code would be covered by a "grandfather" clause through the remainder of their useful life. Thus, existing facilities would not be subject to the space per student requirements of the Basic Education Program. 3. - Does the six-year plan address the possibility of using existing . classroom and office space now utilized to house locally funded teachers, support personnel, and administrators to accommodate the positions to be funded by the state under the Basic Education Program? Comment: Here, again, the impact of the Basic Education Program needs to be considered. Many counties have provided funds for local school boards to hire additional teachers, librarians, etc. ; The General Assembly recognizes the possibility that, as the state funds more teachers and other personnel, the positions previously funded by local dollars will be transferred to the state payroll in order to free up local funds for school capital needs. 4. Are the bases used to estimate costs on new construction, renovations, etc. , reasonable?