Policy

Policy 6700 - Management of Portable Classrooms

The intent of the Surrey Board of Education is to maximize the utilization of all school district facilities through judicious use of space.

The goal of the board is to provide well-designed and highly-functional, quality permanent school buildings. Recognizing that, due to rapid growth and a lagging capital building program, this goal will take several years to achieve, the use of temporary accommodation becomes a necessary interim measure.

While the objective of the board is to ultimately eliminate portable classrooms and similar facilities (portable gyms, washrooms, etc.), the board’s intention is to utilize such facilities to achieve the previously stated goal.

In making decisions concerning the placement, retention, relocation or disposal of portable facilities, the management shall be guided by the following principles:

The objective is to provide basic regular classroom space to meet class sizes determined by the ministry and the board.

When no alternative can be found, other portable facilities may be provided at a school to provide approximately the same type of learning accommodation that is supported by the ministry for funding in a new building program.

Subject to anticipated approval of ministry funding (operational and capital), portable facilities may be used to respond to Ministry of Education initiatives.

When disposing of portable facilities deemed to be surplus to the district’s needs, the management is directed to:

a)	Maximize cost recovery.
b)	To the degree that it is cost effective, retain the portables that will provide the best environment for students.
c)	Attempt to maintain a relatively low average age of portable accommodation.
d)	Rank for disposal those portables that are old, in the poorest condition, and are costly and cumbersome to relocate.

A portable may remain on a site and “mothballed” if enrolment projections indicate that the facility will be required for enrolment within twelve (12) months.

The secretary-treasurer will report to the board on the status of approved and unapproved portable classrooms used in the district.

Revised:	2004-05-13
Adopted:	1992-10-29