Over the past three years, voters have approved a higher percentage of ballot proposals for school construction or renovation. In 2011, 46% of all proposals passed, in 2012, 51% passed, and in 2013, 75% passed based on a review of the state’s School Elections for State Qualified Bonds 1996-Present website. An increasing number of school boards across the state face the challenge of providing leadership and oversight of a school construction project.
School board leadership and oversight can be divided into six areas of responsibility: authorize contracts; approve scope and design; approve changes to the scope and design; seek and award bids; monitor expenditures; and monitor the project.
Authorize contracts: The school board should seek legal advice regarding its contracts with the architect, construction manager, and subcontractors for various services performed. The board should reserve unto itself the right to authorize or reject these contracts.
Approve scope and design: Scope must comply with the original ballot proposal. Design will be determined largely by how well the architect interprets the school board’s priorities based upon a review of the district’s conceptual framework and stakeholder input.
Approve changes to the scope and design: Changes, which can be expected or unexpected, are inevitable. Because the school board is responsible for the project’s scope and design, it follows that the board also is responsible for changes to that scope and design.
Seek and award bids: The state defines the bid process for public entities. The school board should expect the architect to guide it through the required bid process and the awarding of bids.
Monitor expenditures: It is not necessary for the school board to review every disbursement for services or materials used in the construction project. However, the board should require the administration to present an expenditure summary report on a regular basis either monthly, quarterly, or as the board determines.
Monitor the project: The school board should require the superintendent or designee to present a project progress report on a regular basis either monthly, quarterly, or as the board determines. The board also should require the architect and construction manager to report jointly on the project’s status on a regular basis either quarterly, semi-annually, or as the board determines.
Construction is one of the most important projects the school board will encounter. It is an opportunity for the board to unite all stakeholders to a common and tangible purpose, which is an improved environment that assists current and future instructional programs and student support services. The new or renovated structure must be safe, durable, efficient, and create better opportunities for teaching and learning than existed previously.
In the end the new or renovated structure is the school board’s legacy to the community, a legacy of commitment, service, and leadership.
A Plus Educational Consulting, Inc. can assist the school board to develop a plan for its leadership and oversight of a construction project. Contact A Plus Educational Consulting, Inc. for further information.
