SITE & FACILITY CAPITAL PLANNING

Background

The District believes in effective long-term planning and development of publicly owned sites and facilities along with partnering with community organizations and other levels of government, where appropriate.

The District is committed to effective site and facilities capital planning within Ministry of Education regulations and requirements.  The District will develop an effective long-term facilities capital plan to support its strategic objectives in consultation with partner groups, community organizations and other levels of government.

Procedures

1. School buildings and grounds shall offer the best possible environment, within financial limitations, for learning, teaching and support of partnerships in community programs.The planning of District sites and facilities shall follow the following principles to ensure alignment with the Board’s vision, mission and values:
   1. The safety and best interest of students.
   2. Educational philosophy and effectiveness.
   3. Community and partner participation.
   4. Obtaining best value for money.
   5. Long-stability and sustainability of facility operations.
   6. Sustainability and facility maintenance best practice.
2. School facilities are to be designed for maximum use in accordance with Ministry of Education requirements, including:
   1. Initiatives for community purposes.
   2. Access for persons with special needs.
   3. Collaboration with post-secondary institutional programs.
   4. Compatibility with programs provided by other Provincial ministries.
3. To provide outstanding learning experiences for students, facilities are to:
   1. Be designed for curriculum, program, instruction or assessment needs.
   2. Provide conditions and opportunities which support learners.
   3. Provide flexibility for current and future uses.
   4. Support the integration and use of learning technologies.
   5. Optimize the integration of services to support students.
4. To support the teaching and learning process, facilities are to:
   1. Provide collaboration spaces.
   2. Create intentional informal gathering and study areas and spaces for staff needs.
   3. Enhance extra-curricular activities by providing appropriate spaces and site development for:
      1. Student activities.
      2. Athletics.
      3. Fine and performing arts.
      4. School academies.
   4. Provide a safe, healthy learning environment.
5. To support sustainable building practice, facilities are to:
   1. Maximize the sustainability of school facilities in accordance with the energy and sustainability procedures of the District.
   2. Schools are to be energy efficient, with a goal of reducing the District carbon emissions, if possible.
   3. Minimize the life-cycle maintenance and liability costs for buildings or grounds installations.
   4. Consider the building condition facility audits and effective lifespan of facilities.
   5. Consider impact of parking, traffic, pedestrian and school bus loading issues.
6. Facility plans are to:
   1. Accommodate existing and projected enrolments.
   2. Take into account school feeder patterns in order to maximize effectiveness of facilities.
   3. Wherever possible, locate schools or educational programs to observe community boundaries and reduce the need for students to cross major arterial roads or highways.
   4. Reflect understanding of community needs and minimize the impact of solutions on the surrounding neighbourhood.
   5. Ensure space is flexible in use for future needs, changes, and growth in academic programs.
   6. Minimize the use of temporary portable structures.
   7. Maximize the efficient use of existing space.
   8. Ensure that life cycle costing is evaluated when sourcing materials and equipment.
   9. Support community-use and partnerships where appropriate, including the Ministry of Education Neighbourhood Learning Centres Program.
7. To ensure viability, facility renovation projects are to:
   1. Ensure construction phasing minimizes the negative impact on the educational program and that phasing is efficient and reasonable in scope.
   2. Create plans that respect the immediate neighbourhood and community.
   3. Incorporate economically feasible principles of sustainable design.
   4. Complete construction within the budget allotted.
8. To enhance equitable access, facilities are to:
   1. Provide barrier-free or universal design practice for all school and community programs.
   2. Ensure ease of access to programs open to the community while maintaining the safety and security of students.
   3. Plan for elementary schools to be neighbourhood centric, middle and secondary to be regional.
9. Director of Facilities shall:
   1. Appoint a representative to steer discussions and recommendations relevant to a facility or grounds planning program or project involving school administration, staff, students, parents or community partners where practicable.
      1. The District’s role is to determine priorities and promote initiatives related to long-term facility capital planning, specific project design incorporating educational or community partnerships and goals.
   2. Provide balanced and objective information.
   3. Seek feedback on analyses and options.
   4. Consider public concerns.
10. Funding and operational analysis shall receive the necessary level of approval.
11. Annual or individual special project reports and a Five Year District Facilities Capital Plan will be provided as requested under Section 142 of the School Act by the Superintendent to the Finance, Facilities and Technology Committee.