Sec. 13a.01.02.03. Approval of Construction Plans

A. Purpose. The following requirements of this regulation shall be followed by local school systems to obtain the State Superintendent's approval of certain school construction projects pursuant to Education Article, §2-303(f), Annotated Code of Maryland.

B. Applicable projects include the following:

(1) Plans or specifications for the remodeling of or addition to a school building if the remodeling or addition costs more than $350,000;

(2) Plans or specifications for the construction of a new school building; and

(3) Change orders that cost more than $25,000 for the remodeling, restoration, or construction of a school building.

C. Exceptions. A public school construction project or public school capital improvement project for which State planning approval is requested and approved by the Board of Public Works pursuant to Education Article, §5-301, Annotated Code of Maryland, is excepted from the requirements of this regulation.

D. Procedures.

(1) Requests for approval shall be in writing and addressed to the State Superintendent.

(2) The State Superintendent shall approve or disapprove all applicable projects under §B of this regulation.

(3) If the State Superintendent disapproves any plan, specification, proposal, or change order, the Superintendent shall state in writing the reasons for disapproval.

(4) Approvals required by the fire marshal and other State and local agencies shall be obtained by the local school system before submitting a request for approval of the Superintendent.

(5) A local school system may use Interagency Committee/Public School Construction Program (IAC/PSCP) forms for the above referenced requests. If the IAC/PSCP forms are used, a notation of Non-State Funded Project shall be placed at the top of each form.

(6) Requests for approval shall be addressed to the State Superintendent of Schools, c/o School Facilities Branch, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

(7) Upon completion of the project, a letter shall be submitted to the Superintendent from the local school system certifying that the project is completed.

E. The following information shall be submitted:

(1) Notification of intent to proceed with a project under §B of this regulation;

(2) Educational specifications consistent with the outline for educational specifications in the IAC/PSCP Administrative Procedures Guide;

(3) Schematic plans;

(4) Design development documents;

(5) Construction documents;

(6) Contract award or authorization for use of local staff;

(7) Change orders over $25,000.