An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

Chapter 17 – Construction

Schools that participate in programs using host families should create and enforce rules similar to the state and federal standards even if the school’s

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program is not governed by the these rules. They are a best practice and may set the applicable standard of care. It is crucial that schools create rules and maintain standards that are designed to ensure the health and safety of students, and host families, who participate in exchange programs. C. P LACEMENT OF C ALIFORNIA S TUDENTS W ITH H OST F AMILIES A BROAD The guidelines above should also be considered when placing California students with host families abroad. It is essential to screen all host families. While schools may not be able to engage in the same vetting process for host families abroad, there may still be some options for screening families. For example, the program coordinator could visit all of the host families while conducting site visits. In addition, schools can obtain references for host families from local partner schools or organizations. For longer programs, the schools should visit students in their host homes during their stay and regularly check in with them. It is also helpful to have a statement of understanding about the duties of the host family to ensure the family understands the school’s expectations. If students will be staying with host families, it is important for the waiver forms to mention this to parents and inform parents about whether the hosts have been pre-screened. Section 1 I NTRODUCTION Private schools hold classes, host events, and house students and staff in their facilities. Schools must necessarily maintain, repair, renovate, or even construct new facilities to ensure the safety of their students and staff and to provide a modern and aesthetically pleasing learning and working environment. This chapter will provide school business and facility officials and staff with practical tools and information to perform, oversee, and complete an on-campus construction or modernization project. It includes recommendations and procedures on how to select the right construction team, ensure the contract documents adequately protect the school, and efficiently run and complete a construction project. The information in this chapter is not a substitute for careful planning and preparation and cannot replace the assistance of legal counsel. Construction projects often present schools with complex legal questions that frequently depend on the facts and circumstances presented. Schools should be mindful of building, contractual, and other requirements, engage in careful planning and C HAPTER 17 – C ONSTRUCTION

An Administrator’s Guide to California Private School Law ©2019 Liebert Cassidy Whitmore 546