The Superintendent will be responsible for ensuring that District procedures for safeguarding the safety and health of students and staff are consistent with state law and regulation, including the Uniform Code of Public School Building Inspections, Safety Rating and Monitoring and the Uniform Safety Standards for School Construction and Maintenance Projects. Specifically, the Superintendent or designee will be responsible for the following items at the specified phase of the construction project:
Pre-Construction
1. Ensure proper planning for the safety of building occupants during construction or maintenance activities.
2. Ensure that a New York State licensed architect or engineer is hired for projects in accordance with State Education Department regulations.
3. Ensure safety issues are addressed for bid specifications and contract documents.
4. Provide notice to parents, staff and the community in advance of any construction project being conducted in an occupied school building. The notice will include when construction is to begin and will provide information on the District’s obligation to provide a safe school environment during construction projects. The notice may be given by publication in the District newsletter, website, direct mailings, or by holding a public hearing on the project.
5. Revise the District’s safety plan, when appropriate, to accommodate the construction process including a revised emergency exit plan and emergency evacuation and relocation procedures during the construction process.
During Construction
1. Monitor construction and maintenance activities to check for safety violations and to ensure that certificate of occupancy requirements are continuously maintained.
2. Ensure that all areas to be disturbed through renovation or demolition are tested for required hazardous materials in accordance with SED guidelines.
3. Investigate and respond to health and safety complaints.
4. Conduct fire drills during construction to familiarize students and staff with revised emergency procedures.
5. Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements regarding noise abatement, exits, ventilation, air quality, fire and hazard prevention, chemical fumes, gases and other contaminants, asbestos abatement and lead paint and radon testing and mitigation.
Post Construction
1. Conduct a walk-through inspection with members of the Health and Safety Committee (referred to as the Districtwide School Safety Team) and Board to confirm the area is ready to be reopened for use.
Cross-ref: 7100 Facilities Planning
8110, School Building Health and Safety
8112, Health and Safety Committee
Ref: Education Law §§409-d (Comprehensive Public School Building Safety Program; 409-e (Uniform Code of Public School Buildings Inspection, Safety Rating and Monitoring)
8 NYCRR §§155.4 (Uniform Code of Public School Building Inspections, Safety Rating and Monitoring); 155.5 (Uniform Safety Standards for School Construction and Maintenance Projects)
9 NYCRR Parts 600-1250 (Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code)
Adoption date: September 22, 2008
Amended date: October 1, 2018
Amended date: December 1, 2025