Principles
The Wilkes County Board of Education strives to provide safe, orderly, and inviting schools for students and staff. The Board of Education also strives to provide other facilities needed to support the educational program. The Board is committed to providing the best educational environment for students at the lowest expenditure of tax dollars. Long-range planning by the Board of Education and superintendent is essential for providing an educational environment where students can succeed.
Long-Range Plan
The long-range plan will identify facility needs of the school district. The plan will consider whether to renovate existing facilities or build new facilities. The plan also will consider creative options for meeting the needs of the educational program such as expansion or reduction through modular construction, future alternative uses of space, the availability of community facilities, the use of temporary facilities or leasing arrangements, and sharing facilities with other school districts.
Process
The following information will be considered in long-range planning efforts:
- data which reflect the possibility of enrollment declines or increases as well as other demographic changes in the population of students that are or may be served;
- a facilities inventory which includes the size of sites, building capacities, age of buildings, energy consumption, ability to utilize technology, the suitability of the space for its current or future purpose, and accessibility by the community; and,
- the availability or anticipated availability of innovations in construction or design that would allow existing buildings to be renovated or new facilities constructed at a lower cost, in a more energy-efficient manner, or in a way which will better meet the needs of the educational program. Also to be considered are low long-range maintenance costs.
The superintendent may utilize the services of consultants to obtain information necessary for the long-range planning process. All professional contracts must be approved by the Board of Education. The viewpoints and needs of school staffs, students, parents, and other taxpayers will be involved in considering the needs for new and renovated facilities.
The Board of Education will work with the county commissioners when possible in developing a five-year capital outlay plan. The Board of Education and superintendent will communicate in a positive and persuasive manner the need for school construction to the public and other governmental bodies in order to receive necessary funding.
Legal References: G.S. 115C-47, -204, -276, -426.2, -521, -524, 530; 153A-164
Cross References:
Adopted: January 9, 2006