DAR File No. 38865
This rule was published in the October 1, 2014, issue (Vol. 2014, No. 19) of the Utah State Bulletin.
Education, Administration
Rule R277-471
Oversight of School Inspections
Notice of Proposed Rule
(Amendment)
DAR File No.: 38865
Filed: 09/15/2014 05:49:41 PM
RULE ANALYSIS
Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:
This rule is amended in response to H.B. 111, School Building Cost Reporting, from the 2014 General Legislative Session.
Summary of the rule or change:
The amendments to Rule R277-471: provide a new section on school plant capital outlay reporting to satisfy the requirements of H.B. 111 (2014); provide a new section that requires the Utah State Board of Education (Board) to adopt public school construction guidelines and local education agencies (LEAs) to consider identified factors when planning and prior to proceeding with public school construction; change existing language and add new language making the rule, state law, and the School Building Construction and Inspection Resource Manual consistent; and change the title of the rule to better reflect the rule content.
State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:
- Section 53A-20-104
- Section 53A-20-104.5
- Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
Anticipated cost or savings to:
the state budget:
The amendments provide new and revised language to satisfy the requirements of H.B. 111 and to standardize the procedures and processes in the rule. This will likely not result in costs or savings to the state budget.
local governments:
There may be additional costs to LEAs to comply with the requirements of this rule. Costs are speculative because each LEA will vary on its public school construction needs. It is anticipated, however, that LEAs will absorb any additional costs within existing budgets.
small businesses:
The amendments provide new and revised language to satisfy the requirements of H.B. 111 and to standardize the procedures and processes in the rule. This will likely not result in costs or savings to small businesses.
persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:
The amendments provide new and revised language to satisfy the requirements of H.B. 111 and to standardize the procedures and processes in the rule. This will likely not result in costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.
Compliance costs for affected persons:
The amendments provide new and revised language to satisfy the requirements of H.B. 111 and to standardize the procedures and processes in the rule. This will likely not result in compliance costs for affected persons.
Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:
I have reviewed this rule and I believe that there is likely no fiscal impact on businesses.
Joel Coleman, Interim State Superintendent
The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:
EducationAdministration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272
Direct questions regarding this rule to:
- Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at carol.lear@schools.utah.gov
Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:
10/31/2014
This rule may become effective on:
11/07/2014
Authorized by:
Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation
RULE TEXT
R277. Education, Administration.
R277-471. [Oversight of ]School
Construction Oversight,
Inspections, Training and Reporting.
R277-471-1. Definitions.
A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.
B. "Certified plans['] examiner" means a professional who has
current
applicable commercial certification through the
International Code Council[ which requires a rigorous testing program] (ICC).
[C. "Charter schools" means:
(1) schools acknowledged and operating as charter schools
by local boards of education under Section 53A-1a-505 or by the
Board under Section 53A-1a-515; and
(2) charter school applicants that have their
applications approved by a chartering entity in accordance with
Title 53A, Chapter 1a, Part 5, the Utah Charter Schools
Act.
]C. "Charter schools" means schools acknowledged as charter schools by charter school authorizers consistent with Sections 53A-1a-515, 53A-1a-521, and this rule or by the Board under Section 53A-1a-505.
D. "Charter school responsible person
or local charter school board building officer [(charter school]or designee[)] (CSBBO)" means the individual or authority designated
by the charter school board who has direct administrative and
operational control of charter school construction/renovation and
has responsibility for the charter school's compliance with [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual on behalf of the charter
school board.
E. "Certificate of inspection
verification" means a form certifying that the entity
responsible for providing inspection services has complied with the
provisions of Sections 53A-20-104, 53A-20-105, 10-9a-305,
17-27a-305,[and] 58-56, [Uniform Building Standards Act,]Section 15A, State Construction and Fire Code Act, as well
as the provisions of
R156-56 and this rule. The form
is available on the USOE School Finance [and Statistics ]Section [Web page]website[:
http://www.schools.utah.gov/finance/facilities/default.htm].
F. "Certificate of occupancy" means the document issued upon receipt of the final inspection from the inspector of record and the 'Certificate of Fire Clearance' issued by the Utah State Fire Marshal, verifying compliance with all minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of occupants, which authorizes permanent usage or occupancy of any new building, occupiable structure or existing occupiable building or structure alteration (remodeling) or change of occupancy in an existing structure or building or space.
[F. "Code" means the state-adopted construction
code, including all statutes and administrative rules which control
the construction, renovation, and inspection of Utah public school
buildings.
]G. "Division" means the Division of Finance with technical assistance from the Department of Technology Services.
[G]H. "General plan" means a document that a
municipality adopts that sets forth general guidelines for proposed
future development of the land within the municipality, consistent
with Section 10-9a-103(1[1]3).
I. "Inspector" means a professional who holds current applicable commercial certification through the International Code Council (ICC) and is currently licensed in the state of Utah in the applicable trades the inspector is performing inspections.
J. "LEA" means local education agency, including local school boards/public school districts and charter schools.
K. "New school building project" means the construction of a school that did not previously exist in an LEA.
L. "Public school construction" means construction work on a new or existing public school building.
[J]M. "School Building Construction and Inspection
Resource Manual, April 30, 2013, (Resource Manual)" means a manual
which identifies the processes and procedures a
n [school district or charter school]LEA shall follow when constructing a new public school
building
, maintenance, or renovating existing buildings. The
Resource Manual was developed by the USOE [in response to legislative direction under]consistent with Section 53A-20-104.5, [and ]is available on the USOE School Finance
website, and is hereby incorporated by reference consistent with
Section 63G-3-201(7)[and Statistics Section Web page:
http://www.schools.utah.gov/finance/facilities/default.htm].
[H]N. "[Public ]School District Building Official
(SDBO)" means the individual or authority designated by the
public school district who has direct administrative and
operational control of school district construction/renovation and
is responsible for the school district's compliance with [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual.
O. "Significant school remodel" means the upgrading, changing, alteration, refurbishment, modification, or complete substitution or replacement of an existing school in an LEA with a project cost equal to or in excess of $2,000,000.
[I]P. "Superintendent" means the State Superintendent
of Public Instruction.
Q. "Temporary certificate of occupancy" means the document issued upon receipt of the temporary final inspection report from the inspector of record and the 'Temporary Certificate of Fire Clearance' issued by the Utah State Fire Marshal, verifying minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of occupants, which authorizes temporary usage or occupancy of any new building, occupiable structure or existing occupiable building or structure alteration (remodeling) or change of occupancy in an existing structure or building or space, valid for a specific time period.
[K]R. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of
Education.
R277-471-2. Authority and Purpose.
A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Sections 53A-20-104 and 104.5 which direct the Superintendent to enforce requirements and provisions about public school building and alteration, verify inspections of school buildings, and provide information annually to LEAs about the construction and inspection of public school buildings, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities and permits the Board to interrupt disbursements of state aid to any school district or charter school which fails to comply with rules adopted by the Board.
B. The purpose of this rule is to provide
specific provisions for the oversight of permanent or temporary
public school construction/renovation inspections and to identify [local school board and charter school]LEA board responsibilities and accountability to the
Board.
R277-471-3. [School District Building Official, and Charter School]LEA
Responsible Person.
A. [Local boards of education and local charter
school]LEA boards shall be accountable to ensure that all school
district and charter school permanent or temporary construction,
renovation, and inspections [is]are conducted in accordance with the [Code]law to provide minimum requirements to safeguard the public
health, safety and general welfare of occupants while using the
most comprehensive, cost effective and efficient design means and
methods.
(1) Local school boards shall appoint a [School District Building Official (]SDBO[)] who has direct administrative and operational
control of all construction, renovation, and inspection of public
school district facilities within the school district and shall
provide in writing the name of the SDBO to the USOE.
(2) Charter school boards shall be
accountable to the State Charter School Board and the Board to
ensure that all charter school permanent or temporary construction,
renovation, and inspections [is]are conducted in accordance with [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual. Each local charter school
board shall appoint a [local charter school board building officer]CSBBO who has direct operational responsibility for
construction, renovation, and inspection of the charter school. The
[local charter school board building officer]CSBBO shall report regularly to the local charter school
board.
(a) The local charter school board shall provide the name of this officer in writing to the Superintendent.
(b) The local charter school board shall promptly notify the Superintendent in writing of any changes of this individual.
[(c) Following notification, the USOE shall provide a
construction project number.
]B. The SDBO shall monitor school
district building construction to ensure compliance with the
provisions of [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual.
C. The [local charter school board building officer]CSBBO shall monitor all charter school building construction
to ensure compliance with the provisions of [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual.
D. The SDBO and [local charter school board building officer]CSBBO shall [render interpretations of the Code for the school district
or charter school. Such interpretations shall be in
conformance]ensure that public school construction conforms with the
intent and purpose of [the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual[, insofar as they are expressed in the Code or in
legislative intent].
E. The SDBO and [local charter school board building officer]CSBBO may adopt and enforce supplemental [school district and charter school]LEA policies under appropriate [school district and charter school]LEA policies to clarify the application of the provisions of
[the Code]Utah law and the Resource Manual for [school district and charter school]LEA personnel.
R277-471-4. School Construction Inspectors.
A. LEAs shall employ inspectors for school construction inspection who are currently ICC commercially certified and licensed in Utah, in the trade specific to the inspection, consistent with Utah law and the Resource Manual requirements.
B. LEAs shall choose one of three methods for inspections:
(1) Independent inspectors:
(a) shall be approved by the local jurisdiction in which the construction activity occurs;
(b) may include inspectors working outside the municipality, county, or school district in which they are employed; and
(c) shall not be any of the following, nor an employee of: the architect, developer, contractor, a subcontractor working on the project, any management company or other agency hired by the LEA to perform construction or construction administrative services.
(2) School district inspectors shall be employed by and perform school construction inspections within the boundaries of the school district.
(3) Inspectors employed by municipalities and counties may perform school construction inspections within the boundaries of the municipality or county where they are employed.
[R277-471-5. Charter School Land Use Zoning within
Municipalities and Counties.
A. If consistent with the general plan, a charter school
shall be considered a permitted use in all zoning districts
within a municipality or county, except as provided in
R277-471-5D.
B. Each land use application for any approval required
for a charter school, including an application for a building
permit, shall be processed on a first priority basis by
municipalities and counties.
C. Parking requirements for a charter school may not
exceed the minimum parking requirements for traditional public
schools of like size and grade levels or other institutional
public uses throughout the municipality or county.
D. If a municipality or county has designated zones for
sexually oriented businesses, or businesses which sell alcohol, a
charter school may be prohibited from locations which would
defeat the purpose for the zone, unless the charter school
provides a waiver of liability for the local government entity by
the charter school governing board in an open meeting.
]R277-471-5. School Construction Inspections.
[F]A. Before any school[district or charter school] construction project
begins, [school districts and charter schools]the SDBO or CSBBO shall obtain a construction project number
from the USOE [and]by complet[e]ing and submitting construction project identification forms provided by
the USOE
and other required submittals for all projects [which exceed $99,999 in cost]consistent with Section 53A-20 and the Resource Manual.
[G]B. [All school district and charter school plans and
specifications shall be approved by a]The appropriate currently certified plans['] examiner
shall approve all LEA school plans and specifications before
any [school district or charter school]LEA construction project begins.
[H]C. If an [school district or charter school]LEA is unable to provide appropriate and proper school
construction inspection
and plan review services, the Superintendent may [provide for]procure inspection services [from a list of inspectors determined by the
Superintendent ]and charge the [school district or charter school]LEA for those services. [Fees shall be]The approved inspector shall establish[ed]fees in advance of inspection services.
[I]D. [For all school district or charter school projects that
exceed $99,999, the SDBO and local charter school board building
officers shall]LEA construction projects shall comply with Section 53A-20 and
the Resource Manual to:
[(a) submit inspection summary reports monthly to the
USOE;
] ([f]1) ensure that each inspector is adequately and
appropriately credentialed;
([e]2) identify and provide to the USOE and local government
entity building official [the total number of]reports of all inspections with the name, state license
number, and disciplines of each inspector performing the project inspections;
([c]3) submit inspection certificates
and all related submittals to the USOE and appropriate local
government entity building official;
([b]4) submit inspection summary reports monthly to the
appropriate local government entity building official and the USOE;
([g]5) sign the final certificate of inspection and verification
form, certifying all inspections were completed in compliance with
[the]all applicable laws and[this] rules[.], and the Resource Manual to safeguard the public health, safety
and general welfare of occupants;
([h]6) send the final inspection certification[ and], inspection verification
, and provide all other related project closeout submittals
to the USOE and to the appropriate local government entity building
official upon completion of the project; and
([d]7) maintain all submitted documentation at a designated [school district/charter school]LEA location for auditing or monitoring[;].
[J]E. [Reports required under this rule may be]The SDBO/CSBBO may submit paper or electronic
reports to satisfy this section.
[R277-471-6. Public School District/Charter School Construction
Inspection.
A. A public school district or charter school may employ
one of three methods for school construction inspection:
(1) An independent, properly licensed and certified
building inspector;
(2) a properly licensed and certified building inspector,
employed by the school district; or
(3) a properly licensed and certified building inspector
approved by the local jurisdiction in which the construction
activity occurs.
B. Procedure for independent properly licensed and
certified building inspector:
(1) The SDBO or charter school designee shall provide, on
a monthly basis during construction, a copy of each inspection
certificate and a monthly inspection summary regarding the school
building to the Superintendent and to the appropriate local
governmental entity building official where the building is
located for each project that exceeds $99,999 in cost.
(2) The school district, through the SDBO, or charter
school designee shall identify in the monthly summary reports the
total number of inspections as well as the name, state license
number and discipline(s) of the state licensed/certified
inspectors performing the building inspections.
(3) The independent building inspector shall:
(a) not be an employee of the architect, contractor or
any subcontractor on the project;
(b) be approved by the applicable local government or
school district building inspector; and
(c) be properly licensed and certified to perform all of
the inspections that the inspector is required to
perform.
(4) After completion of the project, the SDBO or charter
school designee shall, upon completion of all required
inspections of the school building, file with the USOE and the
building inspector of the local jurisdiction in which the
building is located, a certificate of inspection verification,
certifying that all inspections were completed in accordance with
the Code.
(5) The school district or charter school shall seek a
certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school
building from the Superintendent.
(6) Within 30 days after the school district or charter
school files a request for the issuance of a certificate
authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building, the
Superintendent shall:
(a) issue to the school district or charter school a
certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school
building; or
(b) deliver to the local school board or charter school
board a written notice indicating deficiencies in the school
district's or charter school's compliance with the
inspection findings; and
(c) mail a copy of the certificate authorizing permanent
occupancy or the notice of deficiency to the building official of
the local government entity in which the school building is
located.
(7) Upon the local school or charter school board's
filing of the certificate of inspection verification and
requesting the issuance of a certificate authorizing permanent
occupancy of the school building with the USOE, the school
district or charter school shall be entitled to temporary
occupancy of the school building for a period up to 90 days,
beginning on the date the request is filed, if the school
district or charter school has complied with all applicable fire
and life safety code requirements.
(8) Upon the school district or charter school remedying
any inspection deficiencies and notifying the Superintendent that
the deficiencies have been remedied, following certification of
the information, the Superintendent shall issue a certificate
authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building and mail a
copy of the certificate to the building official of the local
governmental entity in which the school building is located
authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building.
(9) The Superintendent may contract with any
appropriately qualified entity or person(s) to provide inspection
services that the Superintendent considers necessary to enable
the Superintendent to issue a certificate authorizing permanent
occupancy of the public school building.
(10) The Superintendent may charge the school district or
charter school a fee not to exceed the actual cost of performing
the inspection(s) for inspection services that the Superintendent
considers necessary to enable the Superintendent to issue a
certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school
building.
(11) A certificate authorizing permanent occupancy issued
by the Superintendent shall be considered to satisfy any
municipal or county requirement(s) for an inspection or a
certification of occupancy.
C. Procedures for properly licensed and certified school
district building inspector:
(1) The SDBO or charter school designee shall provide, on
a monthly basis during construction, a copy of each inspection
certificate and a monthly inspection summary regarding the school
building to the Superintendent and to the appropriate local
governmental entity building official where the building is
located for each project that exceeds $99,999 in cost.
(2) The school district, through the SDBO, or the charter
school designee shall identify in the monthly summary reports the
total number of inspections as well as the name, state license
number and discipline(s) of the state licensed/certified
inspectors performing the building inspections.
(3) School districts:
(a) After completion of the project, the SDBO shall sign
a certificate of inspection verification and a certificate of
occupancy certifying that all inspections were completed in
accordance with the Code and file the form with the USOE and the
building official of the jurisdiction in which the building is
located.
(b) A school district may issue its own certificate
authorizing permanent occupancy of a school building if it used a
building inspector employed by the public school district for
inspection of the school building.
(4) Charter schools:
(a) After completion of the project, the charter school
may seek a certificate of occupancy from the SDBO of the school
district providing the inspection services.
(b) If the charter school seeks a certificate of
occupancy from the SDBO, the SDBO shall sign a certificate of
inspection verification and a certificate of occupancy certifying
that all inspections were completed in accordance with the Code
and file the form with the USOE and the building official of the
municipality or county in which the building is located.
(c) A certificate authorizing permanent occupancy issued
by a SDBO with authority to issue the certificate shall satisfy
any municipal or county requirement for an inspection or a
certification of occupancy.
D. Procedure for properly licensed and certified local
municipal or county building inspector:
(1) The SDBO or charter school designee shall provide, on
a monthly basis during construction, a copy of each inspection
certificate and a monthly inspection summary regarding the public
school building to the Superintendent for each project that
exceeds $99,999 in cost.
(2) The school district, through the SDBO or charter
school designee, shall identify in the monthly summary reports
the total number of inspections as well as the name, state
license number and discipline(s) of the state licensed/certified
inspectors performing the building inspections.
(3) School districts:
(a) After completion of the project, the SDBO shall sign
a certificate of inspection verification form certifying that all
inspections were completed in accordance with the Code and file
the form with the USOE and the building official of the
jurisdiction in which the building is located.
(b) A public school district shall seek a certificate
authorizing permanent occupancy of a school building from the
jurisdiction in which the building is located; a copy of the
certificate of occupancy shall be filed with the USOE.
(4) Charter schools:
(a) After completion of the project, the charter school
designee shall obtain a completed certificate of inspection
verification form from the local municipal or county building
inspector certifying that all inspections were completed in
accordance with the Code and file the form with the
USOE.
(b) A charter school shall seek a certificate authorizing
permanent occupancy of a school building from the jurisdiction in
which the building is located; a copy of the certificate of
occupancy shall be filed with the USOE.
E. A municipality or county may not:
(1) require school districts or charter schools to
landscape, fence, make aesthetic improvements, use specific
construction methods or materials, impose requirements for
buildings used only for educational purposes, or place
limitations prohibiting the use of temporary classroom facilities
on school property. All temporary classroom facilities shall be
properly inspected to meet the Code.
(2) require a school district or charter school to
participate in the cost of any roadway or sidewalk, or a study of
the impact of a school on a roadway or sidewalk, that is not
reasonably necessary for the safety of school children and not
located on or contiguous to school property, unless the roadway
or sidewalk is required to connect an otherwise isolated public
school or an existing roadway;
(3) require a school district or charter school to pay
fees not authorized under 10-9a-305 or 17-27a-305;
(4) require inspection of school construction or assess a
fee or other charges for inspection, unless the school district
or charter school is unable to provide for inspection by properly
licensed and certified inspectors, other than the project
architect, contractor or subcontractors;
(5) require a school district or charter school to pay
any impact fee for an improvement project that is not reasonably
related to the impact of the school project upon the need that
the improvement is to address; or
(6) impose regulations upon the location of a public
school project except as necessary to avoid unreasonable risks to
health or safety of students.
F. A municipality or county may, at its discretion,
schedule a time with school district or charter school officials
to:
(1) provide a walk-through of school construction at no
cost and at a time convenient to the school district or charter
school; and
(2) provide recommendations based on the
walk-through.
]R277-471-[4]6. Coordination with Local Governments, Utility Providers and
State Fire Marshal.
A. Prior to developing plans and
specifications for a [new ]public school[, or the expansion of an existing public school, school
districts and charter schools] construction project, LEAs shall coordinate with affected
local government land use authorities and utility providers to:
(1) ensure that the siting or expansion of a school in the intended location will comply with applicable local general plans and land use laws and will not conflict with entitled land uses;
(2) ensure that all local government services and utilities required by the school construction activities can be provided in a logical and cost-effective manner;
(3) avoid or mitigate existing and
potential traffic hazards, including consideration of the impacts
between the [new]public school
construction and future roadways; and
(4) maximize school, student and site safety.
B. LEAs shall cooperate with municipalities and counties and conform to municipal and county land use ordinances consistent with Sections 10-9a-305 and 17-27a-305.
[B]C. Prior to developing plans and specifications for a [new ]public school[, or the expansion of an existing school, school districts
and charter schools]construction project, LEAs shall coordinate with local
health departments and the State Fire Marshal.
D. A charter school shall have an open meeting to seek and secure a variance from the appropriate government entity if the LEA selects a school site in a municipality or county-designated zone for sexually oriented businesses or businesses that sell alcohol.
E. Parking requirements for a charter school may not exceed the minimum parking requirements for a traditional public school of a like size and grade levels or other institutional public use throughout the municipality or county.
[C]F. [School districts and charter schools]LEAs shall maintain documentation for audit purposes of
coordination, meetings, and agreements
required under this section.
G. Prior to developing plans and specifications for a public school construction project, LEAs shall coordinate with local jurisdictions to comply with Federal Emergency Management Agency flood plain requirements and restrictions, including applicable mitigation measures.
R277-471-7. Superintendent's Authority to Request Additional Inspections.
A. The Superintendent may contract with any appropriately qualified entity or person(s) to provide inspection services that the Superintendent considers necessary to enable the Superintendent to issue a certificate authorizing temporary or permanent occupancy of the public school building.
B. The Superintendent may charge the LEA a fee not to exceed the actual cost of performing the inspection(s) for inspection services.
R277-471-8. Certification of Occupancy.
A. School districts:
(1) After completion of the project when a school district's appropriately credentialed inspector provides inspections, the SDBO shall sign a certificate of inspection verification form certifying that all inspections were completed in accordance with Utah law and the Resource Manual, and file the form with the USOE and the building official of the jurisdiction in which the building is located.
(2) After completion of the project when a local jurisdiction provides inspections, the school district shall seek a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of a school building from the jurisdiction in which the building is located; a copy of the certificate of occupancy shall be filed with the USOE.
(3) After completion of the project when independent inspectors provide inspections, the SDBO shall seek a certificate authorizing temporary or permanent occupancy of the school from the Superintendent.
B. Charter schools:
(1) After completion of the project and inspection by an appropriately credentialed inspector when a charter school contracts with a school district for inspections, the CSBBO shall obtain a completed certificate of inspection verification form from the SDBO certifying that all inspections were completed in accordance with Utah law and the Resource Manual, and file the form with the USOE and the jurisdiction where the public school is located.
(2) After completion of the project when a local jurisdiction provides inspections, a charter school shall seek a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of a school building from the jurisdiction in which the building is located; a copy of the certificate of occupancy shall be filed with the USOE.
(3) After completion of the project when independent inspectors provide inspections, the CSBBO shall seek a certificate authorizing temporary or permanent occupancy of the school from the Superintendent.
C. Within 30 days after the LEA files a request for the issuance of a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building from the USOE, the Superintendent shall:
(1) issue to the LEA a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building; or
(2) deliver to the LEA board a written notice indicating deficiencies in the LEA's compliance with the inspection findings.
D. If the Superintendent does not issue the certificate authorizing permanent occupancy, the LEA shall provide notice of the deficiency to the building official of the local government entity in which the public school building is located.
E. Upon the LEA board filing the certificate of inspection verification and requesting the issuance of a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building with the USOE, the LEA shall be entitled to temporary occupancy of the school building for a period up to 90 days, beginning on the date the request is filed, if the LEA has complied with all minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of occupants.
F. Upon the LEA remedying any deficiencies and notifying the Superintendent that the deficiencies have been remedied, following certification of the information, the Superintendent shall issue a certificate authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building.
G. Upon receipt of the certificate of occupancy, the LEA shall provide a copy of the certificate to the building official of the local governmental entity in which the school building is located authorizing permanent occupancy of the school building.
R277-471-[7]9. School Building Construction and Inspection Resource
Manual.
A. The USOE shall develop and distribute [to each school district and charter school a Resource
Manual]a Resource Manual, or provide an electronic version, on the USOE
School Finance website, consistent with Section
53A-20-104.5.
B. The Resource Manual shall include process, legal requirements and resource information on school building construction, operations, maintenance, minimum requirements to safeguard the public health, safety and general welfare of occupants, and inspections.
C. The USOE shall review and, if necessary, update the Resource Manual annually.
D. The Board[, local school boards, charter school] and LEA boards, as well as [school district and charter school]LEA personnel, shall act consistent with the Resource Manual.
R277-471-10. School Construction Guidelines.
A. The Board shall adopt public school construction guidelines that take into consideration the factors identified in Section 53A-20-110 and other factors identified by USOE staff or the Division of Facilities Construction and Management Administration staff.
B. LEAs shall review and take into consideration the school construction guidelines when planning and prior to proceeding with public school construction.
R277-471-[9]11
. Enforcement.
A. [School districts and charter schools]An LEA which fails to comply with the provisions of this rule [are]is subject to interruption of state[aid] dollars by the Board [in accordance]consistent with Section 53A-1-401(3) and
53A-17a-144(4)(d).
(1) If a
n [school district or charter school]LEA fails to meet or satisfy a school construction
inspection requirement or timeline designation under this rule,
the Superintendent shall, as directed by the Board, send the
school district superintendent or local charter school director[shall receive] notice by certified mail; and
(2) If after 30 days the requirement has
not been met, the USOE [shall]may, as directed by the Board, interrupt the Minimum School
Program fund transfer process to the following extent:
(a) 10 percent of the total monthly Minimum School Program transfer amount the first month;
(b) 25 percent in the second month; and
(c) 50 percent in the third and subsequent months.
B. If the USOE interrupt[ed]s the Minimum School Program fund transfer process, the USOE
shall:
(1) upon receipt of confirmation that the
proper inspection(s) has (have) taken place or upon receipt of a
late report, restart the transfer process within the month (if the
confirmation or report is submitted before the tenth working day of
the month) or in the following month (if the confirmation or report
is submitted after 10:00 a.m. on or after the tenth working day of
the month);[ and]
(2) inform the[ appropriate] Board [Committee ]at its next regularly scheduled[ Committee] meeting; and
(3) inform the chair of the local governing board if the school district superintendent or charter school director is not responsive in correcting ongoing school construction inspection and reporting problems.
C.
An LEA may be subject to a[A] nonrefundable fine in the amount of one half of
one percent of the total construction costs [shall be assessed school districts and charter schools
that]if an LEA fails to report
a [new or remodeling]public school construction project[s]
consistent with Section 53A-20 and the Resource Manual to
the USOE[that exceed $99,999 before construction
begins].
(1)
The USOE, under the direction of the Board, shall deduct [N]nonrefundable fine amounts[ shall be deducted] from the respective [school district's and charter school's]LEA's Minimum School Program allotment at a rate
sufficient to complete collection of the nonrefundable fine by the
end of the current fiscal year.
(a)
The USOE shall deposit [S]school district nonrefundable fine amounts[collected by USOE shall be deposited] into the
School Building Revolving Account; and
(b)
The USOE shall deposit charter school nonrefundable fine
amounts[collected by USOE shall be deposited] into the
Charter School Building Subaccount within the School Building
Revolving Account.
[D. Violation of any land use regulation and the substantive
provisions of all Codes is a class C misdemeanor and may be subject
to further civil penalties, as established by local
ordinance.
]
R277-471-[10]12. Appeals Procedure for Nonrefundable Fines.
A. The Board designates the procedure outlined in R277-471-12 as an informal adjudicative proceeding, under Section 63G-4-203.
[A]B. [School districts or local charter school]LEA boards may appeal a fine assessed under R277-471-[9]11C consistent with the following:
(1) A
n LEA may not appeal a fine[may not be appealed] until a final administrative
decision has been made to assess the fine by the USOE and the fine
has been affirmed by the Board.
(2) A district superintendent on behalf of a local school board or a local charter board chair on behalf of a local charter school board may appeal an assessed fine by filing an appeal form provided on the USOE website.
(3)
An LEA must file [T]the appeal[must be filed] within 10 business days of final
affirmation of USOE action/withholding by the Board.
(4)
An LEA shall deliver or provide electronically [T]the appeal[shall be delivered or provided electronically] to
the USOE as provided by the appeal form.
(5)
An LEA shall provide, as stated on the form, [The appeal form shall require ]an explanation of
unanticipated or compelling circumstances that resulted in
the local board's or charter school's failure to
report new construction or remodeling projects [that exceed $99,999]as required.
(6)
The school district superintendent or local charter board chair
shall provide [The appeal form shall require] a notarized
statement[from the district superintendent or local charter board
chair] that the information and explanation of
circumstances are true and factual statements.
(7) At least three members of the Finance Committee appointed by the Board shall act as a review committee to review the written appeal.
(a) The appeal committee may request
additional information from the [local school board/local charter]LEA board.
(b) The appeal committee may ask the
district superintendent or local school district or charter school
board chair or [school district/charter school]LEA business staff to appear personally and provide
information.
(c) The fine shall be presumed appropriate and legitimate when reviewed by the appeal committee.
(d) The appeal committee shall make a written recommendation within 10 business days of receipt of the appeal request.
(e) The full Finance Committee of the Board shall review the recommendation.
(f) The Finance Committee shall make a formal recommendation to the Board to accept, modify or reject the appeal explanation and fine.
[B]C. The Board, in a regular monthly meeting, may accept or
reject the Finance Committee's final recommendation to affirm
the fine, modify the fine, or grant the appeal.
[C]D. Consistent with the Board's general control and
supervision of the Utah public school system and given the
significant public policy concern for safe schools and
cost-effective public school building projects, a local board of
education or a local charter board has no further
administrative appeal opportunity.
R277-471-[8]13. Annual Construction and Inspection Conference.
A. The USOE shall sponsor an annual school
construction conference for representative(s) from each [school district, charter school,]LEA and interested persons involved in the school building
construction, design, operation, maintenance, safety and related
industr[y]ies.
B. [The c]Conference
presenters and participants shall[:
(1)] provide
and discuss current information [on ]and training on public school building construction and
inspection, including:
(1) the design, construction, operation and the inspection process of public school buildings;
(2) [provide training on]public school
building site selection[, design, construction, ];
(3) [lowest]best building life-cycle costing[, and ];
(4) construction inspection [matters as determined by the USOE]requirements and schedules; and
([3]5) [offer and discuss ]information to improve the
existing public school building
design, construction, operation and safety inspection program.
R277-471-14. School Plant Capital Outlay Report.
A. The Board shall prepare an annual School Plant Capital Outlay Report of all school construction projects completed and under construction, including information on the number and size of buildings.
B. An LEA shall prepare and submit an annual School Plant Capital Outlay Report to the Utah Public Finance website, consistent with Section 63A-3-402, for each new school building construction project or significant school remodel, completed between July 1, 2004 and May 13, 2014. An LEA shall submit the report no later than May 15, 2015. For new school building projects or significant remodel projects completed after May 13, 2014, the LEA shall provide the School Plant Capital Outlay Report to the Division annually, by a date designated by the Division.
C. The School Plant Capital Outlay Report shall include information required under Section 63A-3-402(6)(c).
D. The LEA shall report to the Utah Public Finance website the actual cost, fee, or other expense for any figures required to be reported under R277-471-14B.
E. The report shall be in a format, including any raw data or electronic formatting, prescribed by applicable Division policy.
F. The Division may require an LEA to provide further itemized data on information listed in Section 63A-3-402(b) or R277-471-14B.
KEY: educational facilities
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 8, 2008]2014
Notice of Continuation: September 9, 2014
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3); 53A-20-104; 53A-20-104.5; 10-9a-305; 17-27a-105; 53A-17a-144(4)(d)
Additional Information
More information about a Notice of Proposed Rule is available online.
The Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the Bulletin is the official version. The PDF version of this issue is available at https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bull-pdf/2014/b20141001.pdf. The HTML edition of the Bulletin is a convenience copy. Any discrepancy between the PDF version and HTML version is resolved in favor of the PDF version.
Text to be deleted is struck through and surrounded by brackets ([example]). Text to be added is underlined (example). Older browsers may not depict some or any of these attributes on the screen or when the document is printed.
For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at carol.lear@schools.utah.gov. For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules.