TITLE 6 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION
CHAPTER
27 PUBLIC SCHOOL CAPITAL OUTLAY
COUNCIL
PART 30 STATEWIDE ADEQUACY STANDARDS
6.27.30.1 ISSUING AGENCY. Public School
Capital Outlay Council
[6.27.30.1 NMAC - N, 9/1/02]
6.27.30.2 SCOPE. The purpose of
this rule is to provide statewide adequacy standards for public school
buildings and grounds. The application of
these standards shall be limited to space and attributes needed to support
educational and technology programs and curricula, defined and justified as
required by public education department standards and benchmarks, and that is
sustainable within the operational budget for staffing, maintenance, and full
utilizations of the facilities. The New
Mexico public school statewide adequacy standards are dynamic and the council
plans to review them at least annually, and change them as time and
circumstances require. These standards
are intended for use in the evaluation of existing public school facilities and
are not intended to limit the flexibility of design solutions for new
construction and renovation projects. A
companion document is the New Mexico public school adequacy planning guide,
provided by the state for use in the programming and design of school projects
to meet adequacy. The New Mexico public
school adequacy planning guide is incorporated by reference into these
standards, and may be amended by the council with adequate notice and input
from the public.
[6.27.30.2 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10; A, 9/14/12]
6.27.30.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY. The Public School Capital Outlay Act, Section 22-24-5 NMSA 1978.
[6.27.30.3 NMAC - N, 9/1/02]
6.27.30.4 DURATION. Permanent
[6.27.30.4 NMAC - N, 9/1/02]
6.27.30.5 EFFECTIVE DATE. September 1, 2002
[6.27.30.5 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05]
6.27.30.6 OBJECTIVES. The New Mexico public school statewide adequacy standards
establish the acceptable levels for the physical condition and capacity of
school buildings, the educational suitability of those facilities and the need
for technological infrastructure at those facilities. The standards are not intended to restrict a
facility's size.
[6.27.30.6 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05]
6.27.30.7 DEFINITIONS. Unless
otherwise specified, the following definitions apply:
A. “ancillary
space” means any subordinate space necessary to support an activity or function
of main programmatic space(s);
B. “art
education program” includes visual and performing arts programs;
C. “combination
school” means a school that contains the elementary, middle school/junior high
school and high school or any combination thereof;
D. “council”
means the public school capital outlay council;
E. “equipment”
means a specified item not affixed to the real property of a school facility;
F. “exterior
envelope” means the exterior walls, floor and roof of a building;
G. “fixture”
means a specified item that is affixed to the real property of a school
facility;
H. “general
use classroom” means a classroom space that is or can be appropriately
configured for instruction in at least the areas of language arts (including
bi-lingual), mathematics and social studies;
I. “gross
sf” means a measurement from exterior wall to exterior wall and calculated to
obtain the gross square footage of a space;
J. “infrastructure”
means the on-site physical support systems needed for the operation of the
school, including internal roads, and utilities, and drainage systems, and
building subsystems such as structure, mechanical, electrical, data, and
telecommunications;
K. “interior
finish” means an aesthetic or protective final coating or fabric applied to an
exposed surface inside the building;
L. “interior
surface” means any exposed area of the interior enclosure for an interior
space, finished or unfinished;
M. “net
sf” means a measurement from interior face of wall to interior face of wall and
calculated to obtain the net square footage of a space;
N. “planned
school program capacity” means the planned number of students to be
accommodated in the entire facility when all phases of construction are fully
completed; these shall include students
in regular education classes in combination with special education students
requiring special education classrooms in compliance with public education
department requirements;
O. “school facility” means a building or
group of buildings and outdoor area that are administered together to comprise
a school;
P. “school
site or school campus” means one or more parcels of land where a school
facility is located; more than one school facility may be located on a school
site or school campus;
Q. “space”
means the net square footage located within the interior of a building;
R. “specialty
classroom” means a classroom space that is or can be appropriately configured
for instruction in a specific subject such as science, physical education,
special education or art;
S. “specialty
program capacity” means the planned number of students to be accommodated in a
specialty program area in compliance with public education department
requirements;
T. “student”
means “qualified student or MEM” as defined in Section 22-8-2 NMSA 1987; and
U. “teacherage”
means a residence that houses a teacher or administrator on site.
[6.27.30.7 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10; A, 9/14/12]
6.27.30.8 General
Requirements. These standards are not intended to supersede
or omit, compliance with applicable building and fire
code or any other code, regulation, law or standard that has been adopted by
state agencies.
A. Building
condition. A school facility must be
safe and capable of being maintained.
(1) Structural. A school facility must be structurally
sound. A school facility shall be
considered structurally sound and safe if the building presents no imminent
danger or major visible signs of decay or distress.
(2) Exterior envelope. An exterior envelope is safe and capable of
being maintained if:
(a) walls and roof
are weather tight under normal conditions with routine upkeep; and
(b) doors and windows
are weather tight under normal conditions with routine upkeep, and the building
structural systems support the loads imposed on them.
(3) Interior surfaces. An interior surface is safe and capable of
being maintained if it is:
(a) structurally
sound;
(b) capable of
supporting a finish; and
(c) capable of
continuing in its intended use, with normal maintenance and repair.
(4) Interior finishes. An interior finish is safe and capable of
being maintained if it is:
(a) free of exposed
lead paint;
(b) free of friable
asbestos; and
(c) capable of
continuing in its intended use, with normal maintenance and repair.
B. Building
systems. Building systems in a school
facility must be in working order and capable of being properly
maintained. Building systems include
roof, plumbing, telephone, electrical and heating and cooling systems as well
as fire alarm, 2-way internal communication, appropriate technological infrastructure
and security systems.
(1) General.
A building system shall be considered to be in working order and capable
of being maintained if all of the following apply.
(a) The system is capable of being operated as
intended and maintained.
(b) Newly manufactured or refurbished
replacement parts are available.
(c) The system is capable of supporting the
adequacy standards established in this rule.
(d) Components of the system present no
imminent danger of personal injury.
(2) Plumbing fixtures. A school facility shall be equipped with
sanitary facilities in accordance with the New Mexico building code. Fixtures shall include, but are not limited
to, water closets, urinals, lavatories and drinking fountains. In all new construction, restrooms shall be
available so students will not have to exit the building. In existing facilities, restrooms shall be
available for classrooms for grades 5 and below, and special needs classrooms,
without having to exit the building, wherever possible within reasonable cost
constraints.
(3) Fire alarm and emergency notification
system. A school facility shall have a
fire alarm and emergency notification system as required by applicable state
fire codes and emergency procedures.
(4) 2-way communication system. A school facility shall have a 2-way internal
communication system between a central location and each classroom, isolated
office space, library, physical education space, cafeteria, and other
regularly-used spaces.
[6.27.30.8 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.9 Classification of Public Schools. The classifications for public schools, including
charter schools, under these standards are:
A. Elementary school
B. Middle
school/junior high school
C. High
school
D. Combination
school
[6.27.30.9 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.10 School Site. A
school site shall be of sufficient size to accommodate safe access, parking,
drainage and security. Additionally, the
site shall be provided with an adequate source of water and appropriate means
of effluent disposal.
A. Safe
access. A school site shall be
configured for safe and controlled access that separates pedestrian from
vehicular traffic. If buses are used to
transport students then separate bus loading/unloading areas shall be provided
wherever possible. Dedicated student
drop-off and pickup areas shall be provided for safe use by student passengers
arriving or departing by automobile.
B. Parking. A school site shall include a maintainable
surfaced area that is stable, firm and slip resistant and is large enough to
accommodate 1.5 parking spaces /staff FTE and one student space /four high
school students. If this standard is not
met, alternative parking may be approved after the sufficiency of parking at
the site is reviewed by the council using the following criteria:
(1)
availability of street parking around the
school;
(2) availability of
any nearby parking lots;
(3) availability of
public transit;
(4) number of staff
who drive to work on a daily basis; and
(5) average number of
visitors on a daily basis.
C. Drainage. A school site shall be configured such that
runoff does not undermine the structural integrity of the school buildings
located on the site or create flooding, ponding or erosion resulting in a
threat to health, safety or welfare.
D. Security.
(1) All schools shall have safe and secure
site fencing or other barriers with accommodations for safe passage through
openings to protect students from the hazards of traffic, railroad tracks,
steep slopes, animal nuisance, and to discourage unauthorized access to the campus This standard
is met if the entire school is fenced or walled. If this standard is not met, alternative
security may be approved after the sufficiency of security at the site is
reviewed by the council using the following criteria:
(a) amount of
vehicular traffic near the school site;
(b) existence of hazardous
or natural barriers on or near the school site;
(c) amount of animal
nuisance or unique conditions near the school site;
(d) visibility of the
play/physical education area; and
(e) site lighting, as
required to meet safe, normal access conditions.
(2) For schools which include students below
grade 6, a fenced or walled play/physical education area shall be provided.
[6.27.30.10 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.11 Site Recreation and Outdoor Physical
Education. A school facility shall have area, space and fixtures,
in accordance with the standard equipment necessary to meet the educational
requirements of the public education department, for physical education
activity.
A. Elementary
school. Safe play area(s) and
playground(s) including hard surfaced court(s) or unpaved recreation area(s)
shall be conveniently accessible to the students. Play area(s) and appropriate equipment for
physical education and school recreational purposes shall be provided based on
the planned school program capacity.
B. Middle
school/junior high school. Hard surfaced
court(s) and playing field(s) for physical education activities shall be provided. Playing field(s) and equipment shall be based
on the planned school program capacity.
C. High
school. A paved multipurpose play
surface and a playing field for physical education activities shall be
provided. Playing fields and equipment
shall be based on the planned school program capacity.
D. Combination
school. A combination school shall
provide the elements of the grades served by Subsections A, B and C above
without duplication, but shall meet the highest standard.
[6.27.30.11 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.12 Academic Classroom Space. All
classroom space shall meet or exceed the requirements listed below:
A. Classroom
space - Classroom space shall be sufficient for appropriate educational
programs for the class level needs.
B. Classroom
fixtures and equipment
(1) Each general and specialty classroom shall
contain a work surface and seat for each student in the classroom. The work surface and seat shall be
appropriate for the normal activity of the class conducted in the room.
(2) Each general and specialty classroom shall
have an erasable surface and a surface suitable for projection purposes,
appropriate for group classroom instruction, and a display surface. A single surface may meet one or more of
these purposes.
(3) Each general and specialty classroom shall
have storage for classroom materials or access to conveniently located storage.
(4) Each general and specialty classroom shall
have a work surface and seat for the teacher and for the aide assigned to the
classroom, and it shall have secure storage for student records that is located
in the classroom or is convenient to access from the classroom.
C. Classroom
lighting
(1) Each general and specialty classroom shall
have a light system capable of maintaining at least 50 foot-candles of
well-distributed light. Provide
appropriate task lighting in specialty classrooms where enhanced visibility is
required.
(2) The light level shall be measured at a
work surface located in the approximate center of the classroom, between clean
light fixtures.
D. Classroom
temperature
(1) Each general and specialty classroom shall
have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system capable of
maintaining a temperature between 68 and 75 degrees fahrenheit
with full occupancy.
(2) The temperature shall be measured at a
work surface in the approximate center of the classroom.
E. Classroom
acoustics
(1) Each general and specialty classroom shall
be maintainable at a sustained background sound level of less than 55 decibels.
(2) The sound level shall be measured at a
work surface in the approximate center of the classroom.
F. Classroom
air quality
(1) Each general, science and arts classroom
shall have an HVAC system that continually moves air and is capable of
maintaining a CO2 level of not more than 1,200 parts per million.
(2) The air quality shall be measured at a
work surface in the approximate center of the classroom.
[6.27.30.12 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.13 General Use Classrooms (Language Arts,
Mathematics and Social Studies).
A. Cumulative
classroom net square foot (sf) requirements, excluding in-classroom storage
space, shall be at least:
(1) Kindergarten 50 net sf/student
(2) Grades 1 - 5 32 net sf/student
(3) Grades 6 - 8 28 net sf/student
(4) Grades 9 - 12 25 net sf/student
B. At
least 2 net sf/student shall be available for dedicated classroom
storage.
C. Sufficient
number of classrooms shall be provided to meet statutory student/staff ratio
requirements.
[6.27.30.13 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.14 Specialty Classrooms.
A. Science:
(1) For grades K through 6 ,
no additional space is required beyond the classroom requirement.
(2) For grades 7 through 12, 4 net sf/student
of the specialty program capacity for science is required. The space shall not be smaller than the
average classroom at the facility. This
space is included in the academic classroom requirement and may be used for
other instruction. The space shall have
science fixtures and equipment, in accordance with the standard equipment
necessary to meet the educational requirements of the public education
department. If an alternate science
learning method is used by a school district, the district shall verify the
appropriate alternate fixtures and equipment to the council. Provide at least 80 net sf for securable,
well-ventilated storage/prep space for each science room having science
fixtures and equipment. Storage/prep
room(s) may be combined and shared between more than one classroom.
B. Special
education classroom. If a special
education space is provided and the space is required to support educational
programs, services, and curricula, the space shall not be smaller than 450 net
sf. When the need is demonstrated in
type II (d-level) classrooms, additional space in the classroom shall be
provided with, or students shall have an accessible route to; an accessible
unisex restroom with one toilet, sink, washer/dryer and shower stall/tub, and
at least 15 net sf of storage. When the
need is demonstrated in 7th grade classrooms and above, a
kitchenette with at least 15 net sf of storage shall be provided.
C. Art
education programs. A school facility
shall have classroom space to deliver art education programs, including dance,
music, theatre/drama, and visual arts programs, or have access to an alternate
learning method. Classroom space(s) for
art education shall not be smaller than the average classroom at the
facility. Art education classroom
space(s) may be included in the academic classroom requirement and may be used
for other instruction.
(1) Elementary school. Art education programs may be accommodated
within a general use or dedicated art classroom. Provide additional dedicated art program
storage of at least 60 net sf per facility.
(2) Middle school/junior high school. Classroom space(s) for art education programs
shall have no less than 4 net sf/student of the specialty program capacity for
art. Provide additional ancillary space
for group music practice, individual music practice room(s), specialized
storage/library rooms, and office(s).
(3) High school. Classroom space(s) for art education programs
shall have no less than 5 net sf/student of the specialty program capacity for
art. Provide additional ancillary space
for group music practice, individual music practice room(s), specialized
storage/library rooms, and office(s).
(4) Combination school. A combination school shall provide the
elements of the grades served by paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without
duplication.
D. Career
education
(1) Elementary school. No requirement.
(2) Middle school/junior high school. Career education programs shall be provided
with no less than 3 net sf/student of the specialty program capacity of the
school for career education. Each
program lab or classroom space shall not be smaller than 650 net sf.
(3) High school. Career education programs space shall be
provided with no less than 4 net sf/student of the specialty program capacity
of the school for career education. Each
program lab or classroom space shall not be smaller than 650 net sf.
(4) Combination school. A combination school shall provide the
elements of the grades served by Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without
duplication, but meeting the higher standards.
E. Technology-aided
instruction. A school facility shall
have space to deliver educational technology-aided instructional programs or
have access to an alternate learning method.
This requirement may be distributed throughout other program spaces
within the facility.
(1) Elementary school. Provide space that meets 3 net sf/student of
the planned school program capacity, with no less than 700 net sf.
(2) Middle school/junior high school. Provide space that meets at least 3 net
sf/student of the planned school program capacity, with no less than 800 net
sf.
(3) High school. Provide space that meets 3 net sf/student of
the planned school program capacity, with no less than 900 net sf.
(4) Combination school. A combination school shall provide the
elements of the grades served by Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without
duplication, but meeting the higher standards.
F. Alternate
delivery method. If an alternate
delivery method is used by a school district for instruction, the space used
for the alternate method may be approved following review by the council.
[6.27.30.14 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10; A, 9/14/12]
6.27.30.15 Physical Education.
A. General
requirements. A school facility shall
have an area, space and fixtures for physical education activity. This space may have more than one function
and may fulfill more than one standard requirement.
(1) Elementary school. Provide an indoor physical education teaching
facility with at least 2,400 net sf.
This space may have multi-purpose use in accommodating other educational
program activities such as art program performances.
(2) Middle school/junior high school. For a middle school/junior high school
facility, an indoor physical education teaching facility that shall have a
minimum of 5,200 net sf plus bleachers for 1.5 design capacity.
(3) High school. A physical education complex shall have a minimum
of 6,500 net sf plus bleachers for 1.5 design capacity.
(4) Combination school. Provide the elements of the grades served by
Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without duplication, but meeting the higher
net sf standards with bleacher capacity for at least 2.0-planned school program
capacity. A single high school gymnasium
shall fulfill the minimum requirements of both high school and middle
school/junior high school classes. If
the school includes an elementary, then it shall provide in addition the
separate space required for an elementary school. This space may have more than one function
and may fulfill more than one standard requirement.
B. Additional
physical education requirements. In
addition to space requirements in Subsection A:
(1) Elementary school. One office shall be provided, with physical
education equipment storage with a minimum of 200 net sf. This space may have more than one function
and may fulfill more than one standard requirement.
(2) Middle school/junior high school. Two dressing rooms shall be provided, with
lockers, showers and restroom fixtures.
Two offices shall be provided, each with a minimum of 150 net sf. Each shall be provided with a telephone. Separate physical education equipment storage
space shall be provided.
(3) High school. Two dressing rooms shall be provided, with
lockers, showers and restroom fixtures.
Two offices shall be provided, each with a minimum of 150 net sf. Each shall be provided with a telephone. Separate physical education equipment storage
space shall be provided.
(4) Combination school. A combination school shall provide the
elements of the grades served by Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without
duplication, but meeting the higher standards.
[6.27.30.15 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10; A, 9/14/12]
6.27.30.16 Libraries and Media Centers/Research Area - General Requirements.
A. A school facility
shall have space for students to access research materials, literature,
non-text reading materials, books and technology. This shall include space for reading,
listening and viewing materials.
(1) Elementary school. The area for stacks and seating space shall
be at least 3 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity, but no
less than 1,000 net sf. In addition,
office/workroom space and secure storage shall be provided.
(2) Middle school/junior high school or high
school. The area for stacks and seating
shall be at least 3 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity. In addition, office/workroom space and secure
storage shall be provided.
(3) Combination school. Provide the elements of
the grades set out in Paragraphs (1) and (2) above without duplication, but
meeting the higher standards.
B. A
school facility shall have library fixtures, equipment and resources in
accordance with the standard equipment necessary to meet the educational
requirements of the public education department.
[6.27.30.16 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10]
6.27.30.17 Food
Service Standards.
A. Cafeterias -
general requirements
(1) Serving and dining. A school facility shall have a covered area
or space, or combination, to permit students to eat within the school site,
outside of general classrooms. This
space may have more than one function and may fulfill more than one adequacy
standards requirement. Dining area shall
be sized for the planned school program capacity to allow for a meal period
requiring no more than 3 servings. The
dining area shall have no less than 15 net sf/seated student.
(2) Serving area shall be provided in addition
to dining area.
(3) Fixtures and equipment. A school facility shall have space, fixtures
and equipment accessible to the serving area, in accordance with the standard
equipment required, for the preparation, receipt, storage or service of food to
students.
(a) The space, fixtures and equipment shall be
appropriate for the food service program of the school facility and shall be
provided in consideration of the location of the facility and frequency of food
service supply deliveries. Food service
facilities and equipment shall comply with the food service and food processing regulations of the New
Mexico department of environment.
(b) Fixtures and equipment should
include: food prep area items, including
sink, oven, range, serving area equipment (or buffet
equipment), dishwasher, and cold storage, dry storage and other appropriate
fixture and equipment items.
B. Kitchen. Kitchen and equipment shall comply with
either the food preparation kitchen or the serving kitchen standards defined as
follows:
(1) Food
preparation kitchen - 2 net sf/meal served minimum based upon the single
largest serving period:
(a) Elementary school: 1,000 net sf minimum
(b) Middle school/junior high school: 1,600 net sf minimum
(c) High school: 1,700 sf minimum
(d) Combination school: shall provide the elements of the grades
served by Subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) above without duplication, but meeting
the higher standards.
(2) Serving kitchen. Where food is not prepared, there shall be a
minimum of 200 net sf with a hand wash sink and a phone.
[6.27.30.17 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07; A, 7/15/10; A, 9/14/12]
6.27.30.18 Other Facility Areas.
A. Parent
workspace. A school facility shall
include a workspace for use by parents.
If this space is provided, it shall consist of at
least .5 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity but
no less than 150 net sf. The
space may consist of more than one room and may have more than one function.
B. Administrative
space. A school facility shall have
space to be used for the administration of the school. The space shall consist of a minimum of 150
net sf, plus 1.5 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity.
C. Student
health, counseling and ancillary space.
A school facility shall have space to isolate a sick student from the
other students and may include space for the delivery of other health,
counseling, testing and ancillary programs.
This space shall be a designated space that is accessible to a restroom,
and shall consist of at least 1 net sf/student of the planned school program
capacity with a minimum of 150 net sf.
The space may consist of more than one room and may have more than one
function. This space shall include a
telephone.
D. Faculty
workspace or teacher lounge. A school
facility shall have workspace available to the faculty. This space is in addition to any workspace
available to a teacher, in or near a classroom.
The space shall consist of 1 net sf/student of the planned school
program capacity with no less than 150 net sf.
The space may consist of more than one room and may have more than one
function. This space shall include a
break area with a sink.
[6.27.30.18 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.19 General Storage (Excludes Lockers, Janitorial,
Kitchen, general classroom, Specialty Classrooms, and administrative storage). For
storage, at least 1 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity may
be distributed in or throughout any type of room or space, but may not count
toward required room square footages.
General storage must be securable and include textbook storage.
[6.27.30.19 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.20 Maintenance or Janitorial Space. Each
school shall designate .5 net sf /student of the planned school program
capacity for maintenance or janitorial space.
Janitorial space shall include a janitorial sink.
[6.27.30.20 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 8/31/05; A, 12/14/07]
6.27.30.21 Teacherages. Teacherages
shall meet standards required by the United States department of housing and urban
development.
[6.27.30.21 NMAC - N, 9/1/02]
6.27.30.22 Standards
Variance.
A. The council may grant
a variance from any of the adequacy standards.
The council shall grant a variance if it determines that the intent of
the standard can be met by the school district in an alternate manner, or if a
variance is required for appropriate programmatic needs as demonstrated by the
district. If the council grants the
variance, the school district shall be deemed to have met the standard.
B. The
council may, with adequate justification, also grant a variance from any of the
provisions of the New Mexico public school adequacy planning guide provided by
the state for use in the programming and design of school projects to meet
adequacy. Such variance shall be
considered through an appeal to the council by the school district following a
final administrative interpretation of the planning guide. Procedures for achieving final administrative
interpretation and filing an appeal to the council for a variance are as
provided for in the planning guide document.
[6.27.30.22 NMAC - N, 9/1/02;
A, 12/14/07]
HISTORY OF 6.27.30 NMAC: [Reserved]
