ColleaguesOver recent weeks we have received feedback from a number of schools concerned about the way we are delivering the Building the Education Revolution.I’ve discussed your concerns with the Primary Principals Association, and we’ve addressed your main concerns below. I hope this answers your questions.

Can I use local trades people for BER projects?Next week a Managing Contractor will be appointed to your region. Your Managing Contractor will be your project manager for P21 projects.If you have got a local quote for a project under P21 please provide this to your Managing Contractor by 15 May 2009. We will give you their details as soon as they are appointed.They will assess your local quote, along with other quotes as part of their normal tendering process to deliver best value for NSW.The Managing Contractor will mange the risks associated with a building project of this scale and scope so that you can concentrate on being a school principal.It means they also bear the cost of any delays or contingencies as well as looking after OHS, child protection and the onerous but important reporting that is naturally part of any project that uses taxpayers’ dollars.If you have a local quote for a project under National School Pride, please provide this to your local AMU by 8 May 2009.Together with you, they will assess your local quote, along with other quotes and if it is the best value for money will work with your local tradesperson to deliver the project.I’ve been told that my school is getting Condition Based Assessment work done and that this is my National School Pride project. Is this true?When the department was working out the National School Pride program of works for your school we used the Condition Based Assessments undertaken last year as our starting point.Completing these Condition Based Assessment projects is the best way of getting jobs underway quickly in Round 1 of the National Schools Pride Program, to meet the Commonwealth’s timeline.While we strongly recommend that you choose projects for your school from your Condition Based Assessment, we understand that some of you have other priorities that you put forward as part of the BER nomination process in March.When your local Asset Management Unit contacts you to discuss the National School Pride program of works at your school you should mention any of your nominations from March that you would like carried out instead of condition based assessment work.Why is my project not on the Commonwealth’s list of approved projects published last week?The Commonwealth Government has released their list of the first 60% of schools to receive funding from the National School Pride component of the Building the Education Revolution.If your school was not in the first round, please do not worry. Any school not nominated in the first round will be nominated in the second. The Commonwealth Government will approve funding for the remaining 40% of schools in the second round of funding due to be announced in May.Please note that P21 projects were not part of this announcement, and will be announced by the Commonwealth at a later date.Can I project manage my own projects?It is vital that all these projects are well managed so we meet our obligations for value and timely delivery. In addition it is vital that workers compensation, insurance, health and safety, child protection, training, probity and that Commonwealth requirements for reporting and quality assurance are met.Given these obligations, and the consequences of failing to meet them, the Department has planned to project manage the Building the Education Revolution program using a team of Managing Contractors.However, some schools have said they want to project manage their own works. You may be aware that the NSW Government has established a Taskforce, chaired by the Infrastructure Coordinator General, Bob Leece. The Taskforce is responsible for the delivery in NSW for the Commonwealth’s Nation Building Program which includes the P21 program.The Taskforce has advised the Department of Education and Training that it is willing to consider project management by schools, but only if the school can demonstrate they are capable and willing to take on all risks and obligations associated with the delivery of the project. In addition, the Taskforce will only consider this if your project does not compromise the value or delivery of the overall P21 program.The requirements that you must meet in order to get the Taskforce’s approval to project manage your project, will be posted on the Department’s intranet site very soon.You will also need the formal approval of your P & C or School Council before committing to project management.You need to fully understand that if you do this, you, as the principal, will be personally responsible for insurance, workers compensation, compliance with industrial relations, health and safety, reporting, quality assurance, probity and tendering.Your school will also bear financial responsibility for the project and if there are any funding shortfalls or if the project is not completed on time then the school will be required to pay any outstanding costs - which if the project is not completed within the time frame required by the Federal Government will amount to the entire cost.As the school principal you will be required to enter into an agreement with the department acknowledging your understanding and agreement and acceptance of all of the relevant Building the Education Revolution project responsibilities. Details will soon be available on the Intranet.If you do choose to project manage your projects, you need to email BER@det.nsw.edu.au by 8 May 2009 with “local project management” as the subject line and stating your school name, project details and contact information in the body of the email. An information pack will be emailed to you.What if my notional allocation under the P21 program is under $250,000 and this isn’t enough money to build what we want?The Department, in consultation with you, will review your request and where it is possible, will construct a building, that, while not meeting the current Primary School Facilities Standard, does meet your school community needs and is within the funding available.I’ve been told I’m getting a CDR building. I want an MDR building. Can I negotiate this?Please email BER@det.edu.au with your concerns and we will discuss possible solutions.When will I know the actual cost of my P21 building project?Each project is different. The timing will vary on the complexity of your project e.g. significant site constraints such as a severe sloping site.A preliminary estimated cost will be available once the Managing Contractor has completed their initial investigation and preliminary planning. Be assured this will be in full consultation with you.RegardsAlastair HunterDeputy Director-General, Finance and Infrastructure