Section F: Facilities Development

FB: Facilities Planning
FE: Playground Equipment
FEA: Educational Facilities Specifications
FECBB: Accommodations for the Disabled
FEG: Construction Planning
FF: Public Dedication of New Facilities
FFA: Naming School Facilities
FG: Retirement of Facilities

FB: FACILITIES PLANNING

The School Board provides for the erecting, furnishing, equipping, and maintenance of all school facilities.

The superintendent presents to the School Board annually, or as necessary to coordinate with the planning process of the appropriating body, a Capital Improvement Program which includes recommendations regarding timing, location, costs and potential savings associated with:

New building requirements
Renovation of existing school facilities

The superintendent may make recommendations for new buildings and renovations after receiving input concerning facilities utilization, development and closure the community. Recommendations are to be supported by data that supports the feasibility and need for construction and/or renovation.

Adopted: January 23, 2012
Revised: April 13, 2015

Revised: May 11, 2020

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, sections 22.1-78, 22.1-79.

Cross References

AF: Comprehensive Plan
BCF: Advisory Committees to the School Board
FEA: Educational Facilities Specifications
FECBA: Energy Efficient Construction
FEG: Construction Planning

FE: PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT

When any playground equipment is installed on School Board property the Board assumes ownership of that equipment unless specifically stated otherwise by agreement. For this reason the maintenance of the playground equipment installed by a school or community group is the responsibility of the School Board.

Once equipment is installed on School Board property, the principal of the school, or the
principal’s designee, has the responsibility to inspect the equipment on a regular basis and the authority to order its repair or removal from the school property. The principal may also restrict or deny the use of such equipment as needed.

Adopted: September 8, 2008
Revised: May 10, 2010
Revised: December 8, 2014

Revised: March 11, 2024

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, sections 22.1-78. 22.1-79, 22.1-293.
Guidelines for School Facilities in Virginia’s Public Schools (Virginia Department of Education, September 2013)

Cross References

KH: Public Gifts to the Schools

FEA: EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES SPECIFICATIONS

To ensure that all new and remodeled facilities are designed to best implement the educational program, the superintendent provides for the development of detailed educational specifications to apply to the design and construction of new buildings. Educational specifications include detailed descriptions of:

All the activities that are expected take place in the building;
The curriculum to be housed in the building;
Specific architectural characteristics desired; and
The facilities needed, their equipment requirements and their space relationship to other facility elements.

When educational specifications are prepared, an introductory section is included containing a brief description of the community and the educational philosophy of the division. Consultants may be used in the development of educational specifications when deemed necessary by the superintendent and approved by the School Board.

The School Board consults with the local building official and the state or local fire marshal to develop a procurement plan to ensure that all security enhancements to public school buildings are in compliance with the Uniform Statewide Building Code and Statewide Fire Prevention Code.

Adopted: July 11, 2016
Revised: June 10, 2019
Revised: September 9, 2019

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, 22.1-70, 22.1-138, 22.1-79, 22.1-138.

Cross References

AF: Comprehensive Plan
FA: Facilities Development
FB: Facilities Planning
FECBA: Energy-Conserving Construction
FECBB: Accommodations for the Disabled
FEG: Construction Planning

FECBB: ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED

Plans for new buildings and renovations or alterations of existing buildings will offer such design and accommodations as to make the newly constructed buildings and renovated or altered areas accessible to disabled persons as required by law.

Adopted: September 8, 2008
Revised: May 10, 2010

Legal References

29 U.S.C. § 794
42 U.S.C. §§ 12182, 12183

Cross References

AC: Nondiscrimination

FEG: CONSTRUCTION PLANNING

No public school building or addition or alteration thereto, for either permanent or temporary use, is advertised for bid, contracted for, erected, or otherwise acquired until the plans and specifications therefor

have been approved in writing by the superintendent;
are accompanied by a statement by an architect or professional engineer licensed by the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects that such plans and specifications are, in the professional opinion and belief of the architect or professional engineer, in compliance with the regulations of the Board of Education and the Uniform Statewide Building Code; and
have been reviewed by an individual or entity with professional expertise in building security and crime prevention through building design.

The superintendent's approval, architect's or engineer's statement, all reviewers comments, and a copy of the final plans and specifications are submitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Adopted: June 28, 2010
Revised: April 13, 2015
Revised: September 9, 2019

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, 22.1 140.

Cross References

FEA: Educational Facilities Specifications

FF: PUBLIC DEDICATION OF NEW FACILITIES

The School Board may have a public dedication ceremony following completion of major building projects.

Adopted: September 8, 2008

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, section 22.1-78.

Cross References

FFA: Naming School Facilities

FFA: NAMING SCHOOL FACILITIES

The Smyth County School Board has the responsibility to determine the name of schools and school facilities in the division. Before naming any school, the School Board will solicit and accept input from the public regarding the names of schools and school facilities but reserves the right to make the final decision regarding the name of any school or school facility.

Guidelines for Naming School Facilities

The Chairman of the School Board may appoint an ad hoc committee consisting of three members to lead the process of naming a school or school facility. This committee would be responsible for making multiple naming recommendations for the full board to consider. The Board shall not be bound by the recommendation made by the committee.
Suggestions regarding the name of a school or school facility must be in writing, must state the name of the person or group making the suggestion, and must state the reasons supporting the suggestion.
Reasonable efforts will be made to publicize the school facilities naming process. The school division website, the local newspaper(s), and other means may be used to solicit school name suggestions.
School names should reflect geographic or historical features of an area. No school will be named for an individual living or deceased.

Renaming a School

The School Board may rename a school or school facility for a variety of reasons. The procedures for renaming a school or school facility will be the same as the procedures outlined above.

Naming of Portions of a School Building or Campus

Only the School Board has the authority for the naming of portions of a school building, athletic facilities, or other areas of a school campus. The School Board will consider school and community input prior to making a decision. This will be accomplished by considering a naming suggestion for at least two monthly meetings prior to a final decision.

The designated area to be named may be in honor of a person who has made an exceptional and extraordinary contribution to a school, a school program, or the school division as a whole. Details of any markers, plaques, portraits, etc. must be included in the proposal.

Smyth County School Board may consider selling the naming rights of any school facility or program. If the School Board does decide to sell the naming rights, it will be intended to recognize sponsorship or a significant contribution by a private or corporate entity that benefits Smyth County Public Schools. The procedures specified above for naming a portion of a school building or campus shall be used for this action. All funded naming rights will be for a limited duration as prescribed by the applicable gift agreement. The School Board shall have discretionary authority to rescind a naming right at any time based on any action by the private or corporate entity that is deemed by the School Board to be inappropriate and/or in conflict with Smyth County Public Schools' values. Naming rights will not convey any input or control over division programs, activities, policies, or employees.

Adopted: December 12, 2011
Revised: December 8, 2014

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, sections 22.1-78, 22.1-79.

Cross References

BCE: School Board Committees
FF: Public Dedication of New Facilities

FG: RETIREMENT OF FACILITIES

School division buildings may become unsuitable for their present use, but may be used to benefit the school division or public in other ways. The superintendent reviews division schools and facilities on a continuing basis. The superintendent may recommend to the School Board that a particular school or school facility should be retired or its use changed. In determining whether facility is to be retired, the School Board may consider the following factors, among others:

The adaptability of the building for continued use for its present purpose;
The suitability of the site of the building;
The maintenance and upkeep costs of the building costs; and,
The historic value of the building to the community.

The School Board shall invite the viewpoints of community residents and staff in making its decision to retire a school building.

If the School Board determines to close a facility, it will first consider other uses that the school division might make of the building prior to considering relinquishing possession of the building.

Adopted: January 23, 2012
Revised: December 8, 2014
Revised: July 11, 2016

Legal References

Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-79, 22.1-129, 22.1-135, 22.1-136.