19: Surplus Land and Buildings
Policy
The Board believes that when land and buildings become surplus to needs, the Board should arrange for the effective disposal of these items.
Guidelines:
1. The Board should dispose of land and buildings in the best interest of the students of the Division and the community, pursuant to existing government legislation and regulation.
2. Disposing of surplus land and buildings requires the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Closed School Buildings
1. The Board shall determine whether a school building that has been closed pursuant to the Closure of Schools Regulation and Board Policy 15: School Closures is temporarily or permanently surplus to the Board based on the following criteria:
1.1. Demographic factors, including but not limited to:
1.1.1. Population and demographic data for the surrounding area;
1.1.2. Former enrolment of the school, and enrolment trends;
1.1.3. Location and proximity of other schools, and their potential.
1.2. Other potential public educational uses for the building.
1.3. The cost to operate an educational program at the school.
1.4. The cost to maintain the facility in, or restore the facility to, a usable condition, and other costs of ownership; 1.5. Any other criteria the Board considers necessary.
2. If the Board determines that there is no present use for the school building, but that there may be a need for the school building in the foreseeable future, the Superintendent may investigate a lease of the school building in accordance with the Disposition of Property Regulation.
3. If the Board cannot identify a use for a school building in the foreseeable future, the Board may attempt to sell the school building in accordance with the Disposition of Property Regulation, and article 4 and 5 of this Policy (if applicable).
School Reserves, Municipal and School Reserve or Municipal Reserve
4. The Board shall determine whether interest in a school reserve, municipal and school reserve or municipal reserve is surplus to the Board’s needs based on the following criteria:
4.1. Enrolment trends within the area intended to be served by the school reserve, municipal and school reserve or municipal reserve;
4.2. Student accommodation and transportation issues;
4.3. Whether a school on the school reserve, municipal and school reserve or municipal reserve is included in the Board’s capital plan;
4.4. Consultation with other Boards with respect to their needs for the school reserve, municipal and school reserve or municipal reserve, or
4.5. Any other criteria the Board considers necessary.
5. If the Board is of the opinion that a school reserve, municipal and school reserve or municipal reserve in which the board has an interest is surplus to the Board’s needs, the Board must provide the Minister with a declaration to that effect.
Appproved:
