Texas Administrative Code › Title 19 - EDUCATION › Part 2 - TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY › Chapter 61 - SCHOOL DISTRICTS › Subchapter CC - COMMISSIONER'S RULES CONCERNING SCHOOL FACILITIES › Section 61.1036 - School Facilities Standards for Construction before November 1, 2021

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) Definitions and procedures. The following
				  words, terms, and procedures, when used in this section, shall have the
				  following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Architect--An individual registered as an
				  architect under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1051, and responsible for
				  compliance with the architectural design requirements and all other applicable
				  requirements of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1051.
(2) Educational program--A written document,
				  developed and provided by the district, that includes the following
				  information:
(A) a summary of the school
				  district's educational philosophy, mission, and goals; and
(B) a description of the general nature of
				  the district's instructional program in accordance with §
												74.1
				  of this title (relating to Essential Knowledge and Skills). The written
				  educational program should describe:
(i) the
				  learning activities to be housed, by instructional space;
(ii) how the subject matter will be taught
				  (methods of instructional delivery);
(iii) the materials and equipment to be used
				  and stored;
(iv) utilities and
				  infrastructure needs; and
(v) the
				  characteristics of furniture needed to support instruction.
(3) Educational
				  specifications--A written document for a proposed new school facility or major
				  space renovation that includes a description of the proposed project,
				  expressing the range of issues and alternatives. School districts that do not
				  have personnel on staff with experience in developing educational
				  specifications shall use the services of a design professional or consultant
				  experienced in school planning and design to assist in the development of the
				  educational specifications. The school district shall allow for input from
				  teachers, other school campus staff, and district program staff in developing
				  the educational specifications. The following information should be included in
				  the educational specifications:
(A) the
				  instructional programs, grade configuration, and type of facility;
(B) the spatial relationships--the desired
				  relationships for the functions housed at the facility:
(i) should be developed by the school
				  district to support the district's instructional program;
(ii) should identify functions that should
				  be:
(I) adjacent to, immediately
				  accessible;
(II) nearby, easily
				  accessible; and
(III) removed from
				  or away from; and
(iii)
				  should relate to classroom/instructional functions, instructional support
				  functions, building circulation, site activities/functions, and site
				  circulation;
(C) number
				  of students;
(D) a list of any
				  specialized classrooms or major support areas, noninstructional support areas,
				  outdoor learning areas, outdoor science discovery centers, living science
				  centers, or external activity spaces;
(E) a schedule of the estimated number and
				  approximate size of all instructional and instructional support spaces included
				  in the facility;
(F) estimated
				  budget for the facility project;
(G) school administrative
				  organization;
(H) provisions for
				  outdoor instruction;
(I) hours of
				  operation that include the instructional day, extracurricular activities, and
				  any public access or use;
(J) the
				  safety of students and staff in instructional programs, such as science and
				  vocational instruction; and
(K) the
				  overall security of the facility.
(4) Engineer--An individual registered as an
				  engineer under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001, and responsible for
				  compliance with the engineering design requirements and all other applicable
				  requirements of the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1001.
(5) Grade levels:
(A) elementary school level--a school
				  facility that includes some or all grades from prekindergarten through Grade 5
				  or Grade 6;
(B) middle school
				  level--a school facility that includes some or all grades from Grade 6 through
				  Grade 8 or Grade 9, or a school facility that includes only Grade 6;
(C) high school level--a school facility that
				  includes some or all grades from Grade 9 or Grade 10 through Grade 12, or a
				  school facility that includes only Grade 9; and
(D) secondary school level--a school facility
				  that includes some or all grades from Grade 6 through Grade 12.
(6) Hazardous chemical--As defined
				  by the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 502, Hazard Communication
				  Act.
(7) Instructional
				  space--General classrooms, specialized classrooms, outdoor learning areas, and
				  major support areas.
(8)
				  Library--Library will include the following minimum requirements:
(A) reading/instructional area;
(B) reference/independent study
				  area;
(C) stack area;
(D) circulation desk/area;
(E) computer/online reference areas;
				  and
(F) necessary ancillary areas,
				  such as offices, workrooms, head-end room, and storage rooms.
(9) Long-range school facility
				  plan--School districts are encouraged to formulate a long-range facilities plan
				  prior to making major capital investments. When formulating a plan, a school
				  district's process should allow for input from teachers, students, parents,
				  taxpayers, and other interested parties that reside within the school district.
				  Major considerations should include:
(A) a
				  description of the current and future instructional program and instructional
				  delivery issues;
(B) the age,
				  condition, and educational appropriateness of all buildings on the campus (in
				  district), considering condition of all components and systems as well as
				  design flexibility, including an estimate of cost to replace or refurbish and
				  appropriate recommendations;
(C)
				  verification of the suitability of school site(s) for the intended use,
				  considering size, shape, useable land, suitability for the planned
				  improvements, and adequate vehicular and pedestrian access, queuing, parking,
				  playgrounds and fields, etc.; and
(D) a timeline and a series of
				  recommendations to modify or supplement existing facilities to support the
				  district's instructional program.
(10) Major space renovations--Renovations to
				  all or part of the facility's instructional space where the scope of the work
				  in the affected part of the facility involves substantial renovations to the
				  extent that most existing interior walls and fixtures are demolished and then
				  subsequently rebuilt in a different configuration and/or function. Other
				  renovations associated with repair or replacement of architectural interior or
				  exterior finishes; fixtures; equipment; and electrical, plumbing, and
				  mechanical systems are not subject to the requirements of subsections (d) and
				  (e) of this section, but shall comply with applicable building codes as
				  required by subsection (f) of this section.
(11) Portable, modular building--An
				  industrialized building as defined by the Texas Occupations Code, §
											1202.003,
				  or any other manufactured or site-built building that is capable of being
				  relocated and is used as a school facility.
(12) Square feet per student--The net square
				  footage of a room divided by the maximum number of students to be housed in
				  that room during any single class period.
(13) Square feet per room measurements--The
				  net square footage of a room includes exposed storage space, such as cabinets
				  or shelving, but does not include hallway space, classroom door alcoves, or
				  storage space, such as closets or preparation offices. The net square footage
				  of a room shall be measured from the inside surfaces of the room's
				  walls.
(14) Abbreviations:
(A) ANSI--American National Standards
				  Institute;
(B) ICC--International
				  Code Council; and
(C)
				  NFPA--National Fire Protection Association.