New Mexico
Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 1 / January 14, 2025
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 - Rp,
6.27.30.1 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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 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 periodically, and amend them as time and
circumstances require. These standards
are intended for use in the evaluation of baseline requirements for existing public
school facilities and are not intended to limit the flexibility of design
solutions for new construction and renovation projects. The New Mexico public school adequacy
planning guide is a companion document provided by the state for use in the
programming and design of school projects.
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 - Rp,
6.27.30.2 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The Public
School Capital Outlay Act, Section 22-24-5 NMSA 1978.
[6.27.30.3 NMAC - Rp, 6.27.30.3 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[6.27.30.4 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.4 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.5 EFFECTIVE DATE: January 14, 2025, unless a later date
is cited at the end of a section.
[6.27.30.5 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.5 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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 maximum size.
[6.27.30.6 NMAC - Rp, 6.27.30.6
NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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. “current
enrollment” means the current number of students enrolled at an existing
school;
C. “combination
school” means a school that contains the elementary school, 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, roof, doors, windows, and structural
system 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. “kitchenette” means a small food storage and warming area, which
usually has a refrigerator, sink, and a microwave, but may have other
appliances;
J. “net sf” means the net square footage area of an interior room or
space, calculated using the interior measurements from the interior face of
wall to interior face of wall;
K. “network
distribution space” means space dedicated to securely house all devices and
cabling necessary to cross-connect any outside line(s) with the school internal
distribution frame up to, but not including, end-user
devices;
L. “occupiable
space” means enclosed space within the school facility and serving a
classroom, administrative, or support purpose and is occupied by staff,
students, or public on a regular or flexibly assigned basis; this shall not
include space exclusively used for storage or to house mechanical, electrical,
or other equipment;
M. “planned
school program capacity” means the planned number of students for a new or
replacement facility, or in an existing school facility to be modified in
capacity, and shall 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;
N. “play
field” means an outdoor grass or synthetic turf area to support site recreation
and outdoor physical education;
O. “school
facility” means a building or group of buildings and outdoor area that are
administered together to comprise a school;
P. “school
site” 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;
Q. “specialty
classroom” means a non-general use classroom space that is or can be
appropriately configured for instruction in a specific subject such as science,
physical education, special education, career technical education, or art;
R. “student”
means “qualified student or MEM” as defined in Section 22-8-2 NMSA 1978;
S. “teacher housing” means a residence that houses a teacher or
administrator on site; and
T. “technology infrastructure”
means facilities including network, hardware, software, maintenance and other
activities required to support information technology services.
[6.27.30.7 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.7 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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
(c) 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, heating and cooling, fire alarm, 2-way internal
communication, external 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. Restrooms shall be reasonably available so
students will not have to exit the building.
(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) Two-way communication and exterior
site communication systems. A school
facility shall have a two-way building interior
communication system between a central location and each classroom, isolated
office space, library, physical education space, cafeteria, and other
regularly-used spaces. An exterior communication system allowing emergency
instructions to be clearly broadcast from a central location to all outdoor
site areas adjacent to the school building(s) shall be provided. Exterior communications systems shall be capable of remote administrator control.
(5) Technological infrastructure. A school facility shall have built-in
technology infrastructure as appropriate to support all aspects of the
educational, operational and administrative processes, with functional access
to wired and wireless connectivity throughout all occupiable spaces. Wireless coverage and density shall be
appropriate to serve all users’ devices at all locations within the facility
and at exterior seating areas adjacent to the building(s).
[6.27.30.8 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.8 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.9 Classification of Public Schools: The classifications for public schools, including
charter schools, under these standards are:
A. Early childhood: A school with only pre-kindergarten.
b. Elementary school:
A school with a combination of grades pre-kindergarten through 6th.
C. Middle
school/junior high school: A school with a combination of grades 6th through 8th.
D. High
school: A school with grades 9th through 12th.
E. Combination
school: A school that contains any combination of the
elementary school, middle school/junior high school and high school.
[6.27.30.9 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.9 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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 potable water and appropriate
means of effluent disposal.
A. Safe access and circulation. A school site shall be configured for safe,
controlled access and on-site circulation. It shall have clearly identified and
visually-observable pedestrian and vehicular pathways extending from the site
perimeter to the main building entrance.
Pedestrian and vehicular traffic, including service vehicle traffic
shall be safely separated on site. 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. Staff, student and visitor 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 1 student space /4 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.
[6.27.30.10 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.10 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
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. Play area(s), play field(s) and equipment for physical education and
school recreational purposes shall be age appropriate and be provided based on
the planned school program capacity or current enrollment.
A. Early childhood. Play areas for pre-kindergarten
shall be fenced or walled, with age-appropriate playground equipment and convenient
to the pre-kindergarten classroom(s).
b. Elementary
school. Safe play area(s) and playground(s),
including paved multipurpose play surface(s) or unpaved recreation area(s),
shall be conveniently accessible to the students. Play areas for kindergarten shall be fenced or walled, with age-appropriate playground
equipment and convenient to the kindergarten classroom(s).
C. Middle
school/junior high school. A paved multipurpose play surface and play field(s)
for physical education activities shall be provided.
D. High
school. A paved multipurpose play
surface and a play field for physical education activities shall be provided.
E. Combination
school. A combination school shall
provide the elements of the grades served by Subsections A, B, C and D above
without duplication, but shall meet the highest standard.
[6.27.30.11 NMAC – Rp,
6.27.30.11 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.12 OCCUPIABLE Space: All occupiable space within the
building(s) shall meet or exceed the general requirements listed below:
A. 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.
(5) Occupiable
administrative and facility support spaces shall have the fixtures and
equipment necessary for functions performed within.
b. Lighting.
(1) All
occupiable space within the building(s) shall have a light system capable of
maintaining at least 50 foot-candles of well-distributed light. Provide appropriate task
lighting in specialty classrooms and other occupiable spaces 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.
C. Temperature.
(1) Each
general and specialty classroom shall have a heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) system capable of maintaining a temperature between sixty-eight
and seventy-five degrees fahrenheit with full
occupancy.
(2) The
temperature shall be measured at a work surface in the approximate center of
the classroom.
D. Acoustics.
(1) All
occupiable space within the building(s) 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.
(3) All occupiable space within the building(s) shall be
acoustically-separated from adjoining spaces when necessary to meet privacy or
confidentiality requirements.
E. Air
quality.
(1) All
occupiable space within the building(s) shall have an HVAC system that
continually moves air and is capable of maintaining a
CO2 level of not more than 1,000 parts per million.
(2) The
air quality shall be measured at a work surface in the approximate center of
the classroom.
F. Technology. All occupiable spaces within the building(s)
shall have technology and connectivity that will appropriately support
educational activities conducted in the room. Safe and adequate access to power to recharge
and operate technology devices by all students and
staff simultaneously shall be provided.
[6.27.30.12 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.12 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.13 SCHOOL
SECURITY: School security features
shall be integrated at all layers of the school.
A. Site security.
(1) All functional
areas of a school site 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
school site. 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.
B. Building security. All occupiable spaces within the building(s)
shall have the ability to control access to the extent required for
confidentiality and security. Building attributes supporting controlled access
to the building(s) and interior spaces, shall be integrated with all layers of
school security.
(1) Security systems. Built-in security systems, which support
building access control and emergency operations, shall be in working order.
(2) Classroom doors. All interior and exterior classroom doors,
accessible from indoor and outdoor traffic areas, shall have hardware that is
lockable from the inside of the classroom.
[6.27.30.13 NMAC - N, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.14 General Use Classrooms (Language Arts,
Mathematics and Social Studies):
A. Cumulative
classroom net sf requirements, excluding in-classroom storage space, shall be
at least:
(1) Pre-Kindergarten - Kindergarten 1000 net sf minimum
(2) Grades 1 - 5 800 net sf
minimum
(3) Grades 6 - 8 800 net sf
minimum
(4) Grades 9 - 12 800
net sf minimum
B. In addition, at least 2 net sf/student shall be available for dedicated classroom storage.
C. All pre-kindergarten classrooms
shall have a sink.
D. A sufficient number
of classrooms shall be provided to meet statutory student/staff ratio
requirements.
[6.27.30.14 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.13 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.15 SPECIAL EDUCATION SECTION
A. Special education:
(1) Special education classrooms shall not be smaller than 800
net sf.
(2) Special education classrooms serving students requiring a
high degree of personal care and assistance shall include an accessible unisex
restroom, a kitchenette, and at least 15 net sf of storage.
B. A
school shall provide ancillary space for therapy programs, such as occupational,
physical, speech and language, no smaller than 650 net sf each. These functions
may be combined into one space if scheduling permits shared use and sufficient physical
and acoustic separation is provided to ensure privacy.
[6.27.30.15 NMAC - N, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.16 Specialty Classrooms:
A. Science education:
(1) For grades pre-kindergarten through 6,
provide storage space for science equipment and materials. No additional classroom
space is required.
(2) For
grades 7 through 12, 4 net sf/student of the planned
school program capacity or current enrollment for science is required. The space shall not be smaller than 800 net
sf. The space shall have science fixtures and equipment, in accordance with the
standard equipment and technology 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 96 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. Art
education.
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.
Art education classroom space(s) may be used for other instruction.
(1) Early education.
If applicable, art education programs may be accommodated within a general use
classroom.
(2) Elementary
school. Art education programs may be
accommodated within a general use or dedicated art classroom. Classroom space(s) for art education shall
not be smaller than 800 nsf. Provide additional dedicated art program
storage of at least 60 net sf per facility. Dedicated art
classrooms, excluding performing arts, shall have a sink.
(3) Middle
school/junior high school. Classroom
space(s) for art education programs shall have no less than 4 net sf/student and
shall not be smaller than 800 nsf. Provide additional ancillary space for group
music practice, individual music practice room(s), specialized storage/library
rooms, and office(s). Dedicated art
classrooms, excluding performing arts, shall have a sink.
(4) High
school. Classroom space(s) for art
education programs shall have no less than 5 net sf/student and shall not be
smaller than 800 nsf.
Provide additional ancillary space for group music practice, individual
music practice room(s), specialized storage/library rooms, and office(s). Dedicated art classrooms, excluding
performing arts, shall have a sink.
(5) Combination school. A combination school shall provide the
elements of the grades served by Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above without
duplication.
C. Career
technical education.
(1) Early
education and elementary school. No
requirement.
(2) Middle school/junior high
school. Career technical education
programs shall have no less than 3 net sf/student. Additional
space for specialized curriculum, equipment and technology requirements, and
safety zones shall be included. Each program lab or classroom space shall not
be smaller than 800 net sf.
(3) High school. Career technical education
programs space shall have no less than 4 net sf/student. Additional adequate space for specialized
curriculum, equipment and technology requirements, and safety zones shall be included.
Each program lab or classroom space shall not be smaller than 800 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.
D. Technology
education. A school facility shall have space (computer labs) to deliver educational
programs in technology or have access to an alternate delivery method (one-to-one
devices). This requirement may be
distributed throughout other program spaces.
(1) Early
education. No requirement.
(2) Elementary
school. Provide space that meets 3 net
sf/student of the planned school program capacity or current
enrollment, with no less than 700 net sf.
(3) Middle school/junior high
school. Provide space that meets at
least 3 net sf/student of the planned school program
capacity or current enrollment, with no less than 800 net sf.
(4) High school. Provide space that meets 3 net sf/student of the planned school
program capacity or current enrollment, with no less than 900 net sf.
(5) 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. Alternate
delivery method. If an alternate
delivery method is used by a school for instruction, the space used for the
alternate method may be approved following review by the council.
[6.27.30.16 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.14 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.17 Physical Education:
A. General requirements. A school facility shall have an area, space
and fixtures for indoor physical education activity. This space may have more than one function
and may fulfill more than one standard requirement.
(1) Early education. No requirement.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) High
school. A physical education complex
shall have a minimum of 6,500 net sf, plus bleachers for 1.5 design
capacity.
(5) 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 or current enrollment. A single
high school gymnasium shall fulfill the minimum requirements of both high
school and middle school/junior high school classes. If the combination school includes an elementary, then it shall include the separate space
required for an elementary school. This
space may have more than one function and may fulfill more than one standard
requirement.
(6) Physical education space and
seating shall support access to and use of appropriate technology devices and
have access to power and functional wireless connectivity.
B. Additional physical education
requirements:
(1) Early
education. No requirement.
(2) Elementary
school. One office shall be provided,
with separate physical education equipment storage with a minimum of 200 net sf
each.
(3) Middle
school/junior high school. Two dressing
rooms shall be provided, with lockers, restroom fixtures, and at least one
shower per dressing room. Two offices
shall be provided with a minimum of 150 net sf each, along with separate
physical education equipment storage space, with a minimum of 300 net sf.
(4) High
school. Two dressing rooms shall be
provided, with lockers, restroom fixtures, and at least one shower per dressing
room. Two offices shall be provided with
a minimum of 150 net sf each, along with separate physical education equipment
storage space, with a minimum of 300 net sf.
(5) 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.
[6.27.30.17 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.15 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.18 libraries, media, and research centers: A school facility shall have flexible space
for students to access research materials, books, digital devices, and computers,
with wired and wireless connectivity. The
facility shall have fixtures, equipment, technology, and resources in
accordance with the standard equipment necessary to meet the educational
requirements of the public education department.the
area be at least 2.5 net sf/student of the planned
school program capacity or current enrollment, but no less than 1,000 net
sf. In addition, office/workroom space
and secure storage shall be provided, with a cumulative minimum of 200 net sf.
[6.27.30.18 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.16 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.19 Food
Service Standards:
A. Cafeterias. A school facility shall
have adequate space and equipment necessary to provide regular meals to
students during the school day.
(1) 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 be multi-purpose and may fulfill more than one adequacy
standards requirement not in conflict with the regular serving and dining
function. Dining
area shall be sized for the planned school program capacity or current enrollment
to allow for a meal period requiring no more than three serving periods. The dining area shall have no less than 15
net sf/seated student.
(2) Serving. Serving area(s) accommodating efficient flow
of traffic shall be provided in addition to net sf areas assigned to dining and
food preparation area. 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 size and location
of the facility. Food service facilities
and equipment shall comply with the
food service and food processing regulations of the New Mexico
department of environment.
B. Kitchen. Kitchen space 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) Early childhood
and elementary school: 1,000 net sf
minimum.
(b) Middle
school/junior high school: 1,600 net sf
minimum.
(c) High
school: 1,700 net 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 on the school site, but is delivered prepared, there
shall be a minimum of 200 net sf.
(3) Additional kitchen space
requirements. The kitchen shall include an office with a minimum of 150 net sf,
restroom, lockers, and a custodial space with a mop sink.
(4) Fixtures, equipment, and
storage. A school facility shall have space, fixtures and equipment accessible to the
kitchen and 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 size and
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 hand wash sink, serving area
equipment (or buffet equipment), dishwasher, cold storage, dry other
appropriate fixtures and equipment items to perform necessary cooking or
warming functions.
[6.27.30,19 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.17 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.20 Other Facility Areas:
a. Administrative
space. A school facility shall have administrative space, to include offices for
school administrators, councilors, ancillary staff, and records. The space shall consist of a minimum of 150
net sf, plus 1.5 net sf/student of the planned school
program capacity or current enrollment.
B. Student
health. A school facility shall have
spaces for the delivery of student health. The student health or nurse’s suite shall have
space to isolate any sick student(s) from the other students and perform
necessary testing. It shall have a sink, refrigerator, and secure storage for
records, medications, supplies. This
space shall be a designated space consisting of at least 1 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or current enrollment
with a minimum of 200 net sf. The student health or nurse’s suite shall have a
connected accessible restroom, not included in the minimum.
C. Faculty
workspace and break room. A school
facility shall have workspace available to the faculty. This space is in addition to any workspace
available in or near a classroom. The
space shall consist of at least 1 net sf/student of
the planned school program capacity or current enrollment with no less than 150
net sf. The space may consist of more
than one room and may have more than one function. The break room shall include a kitchenette.
D. Network
distribution space. A school shall have
at least 120 net sf of appropriately distributed, securable, well-ventilated,
temperature controlled space to accommodate routers, switches, servers and
other devices to support school technology operational needs.
[6.27.30.20 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.18 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.21 General Storage (Excludes Lockers, Janitorial,
Kitchen, general classroom, Specialty Classrooms, and administrative storage): For storage, at least 1.5 net sf/student of the planned school
program capacity or current enrollment 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.
[6.27.30.21
NMAC - Rp, 6.27.30.19 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.22 Maintenance or Janitorial Space: Each school shall designate 1 net
sf/student of the planned school program capacity or current
enrollment for maintenance or janitorial space.
Janitorial space shall include a janitorial sink.
[6.27.30.22 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.20 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.23 TEACHER HOUSING: Teacher housing units shall
meet standards required by the United States department of housing and urban development.
[6.27.30.23 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.21 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
6.27.30.24 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 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 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.
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.
[6.27.30.24 NMAC - Rp,
6.27.30.20 NMAC, 1/14/2025]
HISTORY OF 6.27.30 NMAC: