When considering a new school construction project, the site selection and evaluation process is a critical step in early planning. Selecting the right site is paramount to the project and can have a major impact on the outcome of a referendum. Careful consideration and thoughtful attention to site-related issues and details can set the course not…

Proper planning of school facilities is critical for all school districts no matter how large or small, whether major construction is in the works or the district is managing enrollment declines. When school districts properly plan for their school facilities they have better schools, more public use and higher value for public spending. This…

Kids are frequenting some old New England department stores again. They are not buying CDs and jeans; they are investing in certificates and degrees. The University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth have purchased former retail space in historic downtown buildings--and refurbished them for educational uses. Boston…

This report presents discussion from the 2000 Delaware Policy Forum "Planning Delaware's School Needs: Issues of Location, Design, and Infrastructure," which was held October 12, 2000, in Wyoming, Delaware. The forum brought together representatives of state agencies, including people from the Department of Transportation, the Department…

This guide is designed to assist school districts in selecting school sites that provide both a safe and supportive environment for the instructional program and the learning process, and gain state approval for the selected sites. The guide includes a set of selection criteria that have proven helpful to site selection teams, information about…

Details how soils, topography, and other natural and built features can make the siting of competitive and leisure aquatic facilities difficult. (EV)

School site selection is critical since the site can affect the size and shape of the school, which in turn can materially affect the educational program and opportunities for students. This document provides guidance for California school districts to help them select school sites that provide both a safe and supportive environment for the…

Discusses the necessary elements in business planning that can help make building a new campus less difficult. Successful plan administators provide their thoughts on establishing the need for new facilities, closing the funding deal, and selecting and developing the site. (GR)

The State of Alaska Department of Education has created a handbook to give assistance and direction to its school districts and communities in determining the suitability of various building sites for educational facilities planning. This handbook establishes a set of basic site selection elements and offers suggested evaluation criteria for…

This paper describes how the trend toward building new schools on large sites far from existing development centers, called "school sprawl" or "school giantism," can have far-reaching impacts on school children, school districts, and the larger community.Educators and parents express concern that large schools reduce…

Describes the guides to school site selection developed in Maine, British Columbia, Alaska, and California, along with information on obtaining the publication. The state and province guides address site selection issues such as historic preservation, decision- making procedures, and site evaluation criteria. (EV)

Securing the right environment for a preschool program requires planning and research. Administrators or searching parties are advised to study zoning codes to become acquainted with state sanitation and safety regulations and laws, to involve teachers in cooperative planning, to design facilities which discourage vandalism, facilitate…

Presents an approach for estimating school site space needs that (1) identifies the various functions to be accommodated and the space needed for each and (2) determines the total amount of site space required. Provides some useful estimates of the amounts of space required for a number of common functions. (MLF)

Discusses why schools and universities must be diligent as they build new facilities to make sure construction sites are not contaminated with toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials. Addresses why schools often inadvertently choose these sites, the drive for national regulation, lessons from a situation in Los Angeles, tips for acquiring…

The most difficult task for campus planners is making site selection recommendations based on qualitative facts that cannot be compared to each other. Any means of alternative site evaluation should include a flexible system of comparing such far-ranging criteria as visual impact, access to parking, and site development cost. (MLW)