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, 9/1/2002]

 

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 - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 9/14/2012; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.3               STATUTORY AUTHORITY:  The Public School Capital Outlay Act, Section 22-24-5 NMSA 1978.

[6.27.30.3 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002]

 

6.27.30.4               DURATION:  Permanent.

[6.27.30.4 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002]

 

6.27.30.5               EFFECTIVE DATE:  September 1, 2002, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

[6.27.30.5 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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 - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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.            “average enrollment” means the average number of students enrolled at an existing school over a period consisting of the past 5 years;

                D.            “combination school” means a school that contains the elementary school, middle school/junior high school and high school or any combination thereof;

                E.            “council” means the public school capital outlay council;

                F.            “d-level” means class d programs in which department certified individuals provide services to

children whose individualized education programs require a maximum amount of special education;

                G.            “equipment” means a specified item not affixed to the real property of a school facility;

                H.            “exterior envelope” means the exterior walls, roof, doors, windows, and structural system of a building;

                I.             “fixture” means a specified item that is affixed to the real property of a school facility;

                J.             “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;

                K.            “infrastructure” means the on-site physical support systems needed for the operation of the school, including internal roads, utilities, drainage systems, and building subsystems such as structure, mechanical, electrical, data, telecommunications, and technology;

                L.            “interior finish” means an aesthetic or protective final coating or fabric applied to an exposed surface inside the building;

                M.           “interior surface” means any exposed area of the interior enclosure for an interior space, finished or unfinished;

                N.            “kitchenette” means a small food storage and warming area, which usually has a refrigerator, sink, and a microwave, but may have other appliances;

                O.            “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;

                P.            “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;

                Q.            “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;

                R.            “planned school program capacity” means the planned number of students in 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;

                S.             “school facility” means a building or group of buildings and outdoor area that are administered together to comprise a school;

                T.            “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;

                U.            “space” means the net square footage located within the interior of a building;

                V.            “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, career education, or art;

                W.           “specialty program capacity” means the planned number of students or the five-year average to be accommodated in a specialty program area in compliance with public education department requirements;

                X.            “student” means “qualified student or MEM” as defined in Section 22-8-2 NMSA 1978;

                Y.            “teacherage” means a residence that houses a teacher or administrator on site;

                Z.            “technology infrastructure” means facilities including network, hardware, software, maintenance and other activities required to support information technology services; and

                AA.         “technology support space” means spaces dedicated to diagnose and repair hardware and software necessary for instructional delivery process (computers, tablets, projectors, displays etc.).

[6.27.30.7 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 9/14/2012; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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)           2-way communication and exterior site communication systems.  A school facility shall have a 2-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).

                C.            Building access control.  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 which is lockable from the inside of the classroom.

[6.27.30.8 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007]

 

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 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.

                D.            Site Security.  Site security features shall be integrated with all layers of school security.

                                (1)           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 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, 9/1/2002; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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.  Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students will require a fenced or walled playground area convenient to the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classroom(s), with age-appropriate playground equipment.

                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 or average enrollment.

                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 or average enrollment.

                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, 9/1/2002; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.12             OCCUPIABLE Space:  All occupiable space within the building(s) shall meet or exceed the general requirements listed below:

                A.            Classroom space.  Classroom space shall be sufficient for appropriate educational programs for the class level needs.

                B.            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 meet or exceed requirements for the minimum fixtures and equipment necessary for functions performed within.

                C.            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.

                D.            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.

                E.            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.

                F.            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.

                G.            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.

                H.            Security.  All occupiable spaces within the building(s) shall have the ability to control access to the extent required for confidentiality and security.

[6.27.30.12 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.13             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      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.            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.            Sufficient number of classrooms shall be provided to meet statutory student/staff ratio requirements.

[6.27.30.13 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.14             Specialty Classrooms:

                A.            Science:

                                (1)           For grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6, no additional space is required beyond the classroom requirement.

                                (2)           For grades 7 through 12, 4 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment for science is required.  The space shall not be smaller than the average-sized general use 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 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.            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.  In d-level classrooms serving students requiring a high degree of personal care and assistance, 100 net sf/student shall be provided (or no larger than the average-sized general education classroom), along with additional space in the classroom for an accessible unisex restroom.  When the need is demonstrated, 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-sized general use 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.  Dedicated art classrooms, excluding performing arts, shall have a sink.

                                (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).  Dedicated art classrooms, excluding performing arts, shall have a sink.

                                (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).  Dedicated art classrooms, excluding performing arts, shall have a sink.

                                (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. Provide additional adequate space for specialized curriculum, equipment and technology requirements, and safety zones.  Each program lab or classroom space shall not be smaller than the average-sized general use classroom at the facility.

                                (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.  Provide additional adequate space for specialized curriculum, equipment and technology requirements, and safety zones.  Each program lab or classroom space shall not be smaller than the average-sized general use classroom at the facility.

                                (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 and computer skills instruction.  A school facility shall have space to deliver educational programs in technology and computer skills 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 or average enrollment, 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 or average enrollment, with no less than 800 net sf.

                                (3)           High school.  Provide space that meets 3 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment, 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, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 9/14/2012; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.15             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)           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 or average enrollment.  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.

                                (5)           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.  In addition to space requirements in Subsection A:

                                (1)           Elementary school.  One office shall be provided, with separate physical education equipment storage with a combined minimum of 200 net sf.

                                (2)           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, along with separate physical education equipment storage space, with a combined minimum of 300 net sf.  Each shall be provided with a telephone.

                                (3)           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, along with separate physical education equipment storage space, with a combined minimum of 300 net sf.  Each shall be provided with a telephone.

                                (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, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 9/14/2012; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.16             libraries, media, and research centers:

                A.            A school facility shall have space for students to access research materials, computer workstations, literature, non-text reading materials, books and technology, including digital devices.  This shall include flexible space and comfortable seating with wired and wireless connectivity.

                                (1)           Elementary school.  The area for stacks and seating space shall be at least 2.5 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average 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.

                                (2)           Middle school/junior high school or high school.  The area for stacks and seating shall be at least 2.5 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average 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.

                                (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, technology, 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, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.17             Food Service Standards:

                A.            Cafeterias - general requirements.  A school facility shall have adequate space and equipment

necessary to provide regular meals to students during the school day.

                                (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 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 average 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 area(s) accommodating efficient flow of traffic shall be provided in addition to net sf areas assigned to dining and food preparation area.

                                (3)           Fixtures, equipment, and storage.  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 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 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 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 with a hand wash sink and a phone.

[6.27.30.17 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 7/15/2010; A, 9/14/2012]

 

6.27.30.18             Other Facility Areas:

                A.            Parent organization storage.  A school facility shall include secure storage for use by the school parent organization(s).  Space provided shall consist of 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 administrative space.  The space shall consist of a minimum of 150 net sf, plus 1.5 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment.

                C.            Student health, counseling and ancillary space.  A school facility shall have spaces for the delivery of student health, counseling, testing and ancillary programs.  The student health or nurse’s suite shall have space to isolate any sick student(s) from the other students. It shall include secure storage for records, medications, supplies, and it shall have a telephone.  This space shall be a designated space consisting of at least 1 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment with a minimum of 150 net sf. The student health or nurse’s suite shall have a connected accessible restroom, not included in the minimum.

                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 at least 1 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment 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 kitchenette.

                E.            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.

                F.            Technology support space(s).  A school shall have 0.5 net sf/student with a minimum of 300 sf

to store and/or service user devices.  This space may be provided in a centralized location off-site.

[6.27.30.18 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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 or average 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.

[6.27.30.19 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

6.27.30.20             Maintenance or Janitorial Space:  Each school shall designate 1 net sf/student of the planned school program capacity or average enrollment for maintenance or janitorial space.  Janitorial space shall include a janitorial sink.

[6.27.30.20 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 8/31/2005; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

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, 9/1/2002]

 

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 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.

[6.27.30.22 NMAC - N, 9/1/2002; A, 12/14/2007; A, 12/17/2019]

 

HISTORY OF 6.27.30 NMAC:  [RESERVED]