Ministry Policy Site

Five-Year Capital Plan

Issued May 4, 1994
Revision Date May 31, 1995

Current policy

School boards are required to prepare a Five-Year Capital Plan annually.

The School Act stipulates that "A board must, when required by the minister, prepare and submit to the minister a capital plan." This policy identifies the timelines and procedures regarding the capital plan submission.

Under the authority of Section 142 (1) of the School Act:

142 (1) A board must, when required by the minister, prepare and submit to the minister a capital plan.

N/A

The Five-Year Capital Plan must be submitted to the Funding Department on a date each year as specified by the Minister.

A Board of Education's Five-Year Capital Plan should reflect a strategy for balancing the supply of existing facilities with both current and projected enrolment demands, and the rejuvenation of existing facilities within a school district.

The Five-Year Capital Plans from all school districts are used to develop an overall Provincial Capital Plan for the next capital budget year.

The Provincial Capital Plan is developed on the basis of established ranking criteria and anticipated future funding levels.

Plans and supporting documentation shall be submitted as per the Capital Plan Instructions and the Capital Plan Allowances, Rates and Costing Factors Supplement, sent each spring to all school districts by the Funding Department.

Upon receipt of a school district's Five-Year Capital Plan, a Planning Officer in the Funding Department is responsible for:

• evaluating the Plan, as to its completeness, using the Ministry of Education Planning Officers' Checklist for Receipt of Five-Year Capital Plan
• ensuring proposed projects are eligible for capital funding, using the Ministry of Education Planning Officers' Checklist for Ineligible Capital Projects
• ensuring all required supporting documentation for each eligible capital project has been submitted
• ranking each eligible project in accordance with the current Ministry Ranking Criteria and Ministry Project Prioritization System.

Individual capital projects involving school facilities will be reviewed to determine ability to meet current and future needs, including:

• new schools and additions
• replacement or rebuilt schools
• renovations to extend building life.

Where necessary, adjustments will be made by the Planning Officer in consultation with the school district to ensure projects comply with current Ministry building unit rates, area entitlements, and cost estimates for site development, consultant's fees, and equipment allowances.

An 'Echo Report' indicating Ministry ranking of eligible capital projects and any proposed changes will be sent to the Board of Education.

Ministry of Education - Area Standards (01/03)

Capital Plan Instructions (published annually)

Capital Plan Allowances, Rates and Costing Factors Supplement (published annually)

If you have any questions relating to this policy, please contact David Jack in the Funding Department.