002: Participants and Partnerships

002: Participants and Partnerships

Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is a constitutionally authorized, nonpartisan, elected executive officer of the State of Washington. The State Superintendent is elected for a term of four years.  

The School Facilities and Organization (SFO) Section of OSPI

The School Facilities and Organization section of OSPI is responsible for administering the state’s K-12 capital grant programs for local school districts and assists with state policy development in the areas of facility management and capital projects.  

State and Local Responsibilities

School districts and OSPI have distinct responsibilities in planning, developing, and funding school facilities. District boards of directors are responsible for determining the type and configuration of facilities needed to serve their students. OSPI is responsible for administering state school facilities assistance in accordance with applicable statutes, rules, appropriations, and program requirements.

State assistance is intended, insofar as possible, to promote equitable access to capital resources and educational opportunities while providing a level of state support consistent with available funding. Districts may need to provide local funds in excess of state assistance to complete facilities consistent with their educational specifications and local priorities.

School Districts 

A school district is a territory under the jurisdiction of a single governing board designated and referred to as the board of directors. See RCW 28A.315.025. 

The school district board of directors is the primary agency with the responsibility and authority to determine the type of school facilities it desires for the district. It is also the contracting agent in procuring the services of consultants, design professionals, and contractors to assist in construction.  

School district administration, faculty, staff, and students play a major role in planning school facilities consistent with their specific skills and knowledge.  

OSPI Regional Coordinators

Regional Coordinators are a district's primary point of contact for the School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) and other grant programs administered by OSPI's School Facilities and Organization (SF&O) office. They provide technical assistance and guidance to school districts regarding state funding opportunities, program requirements, eligibility, and compliance with state laws and regulations.

Regional Coordinators work with school administrators, boards of directors, consultants, architects, and engineers to help districts understand funding options, long-range facilities planning requirements, project eligibility, application procedures, and state funding processes.

School districts are encouraged to contact their Regional Coordinator early in the planning process to discuss facility needs, funding options, and project eligibility requirements.

See section 003: Regional Coordinators and District Assignments for more information. 

Educational Service Districts 

The State of Washington is divided into nine educational service districts (ESD’s) that can provide cooperative and informational services to local school districts. Districts can also hire private project management firms.  

Consultants 

The process of developing a school facility is demanding and time-consuming and requires specialized expertise not commonly found with a school district’s staff. School districts typically look to independent consultants for the resources to fulfill their building project needs.  

The planning, design, and construction of a school facility typically involve many of the following consultants:  

  • Educational planning consultants to provide expertise in defining facility program needs, functions, and space requirements.  
  • Financial planning consultants, bond counsel, and investment banking firms to advise and structure bond issues, investments, and cash flow requirements. 
  • Architectural and engineering design consultants and specialized sub-consultants, as needed, to provide design solutions to the school districts expressed needs within an agreed budget and schedule.  
  • Project manager or construction program manager to provide leadership in meeting schedules, cost, and program objectives, and to assist in project budgeting, scheduling, construction cost estimating, formulating design and construction strategies, and construction oversight.  
  • Other specialized technical consultants, as may be required, for surveying, soils analysis, environmental analysis, value engineering, constructability reviews, building commissioning, as well as asbestos and hazardous materials identification.  

The team of varied disciplines should have clearly defined responsibilities and authorities. It is necessary to coordinate continuously to achieve an integrated design, avoid duplication of effort, and to monitor work necessary for the total project. This coordination should be undertaken by a capable construction manager, whether in-house or on a consulting basis.  

Citizens 

Citizens play a key role in the schools in their community and should be encouraged to participate in school planning activities as early as possible.  

Other Governmental Agencies 

Other state and local agencies, such as health departments, fire marshals, building authorities, and zoning boards, have specified roles in planning or reviewing school facility plans where they have authority.