(1) As used in this section, "public school construction" means construction work on a new public school. (2) (a) The state board shall: (i) adopt guidelines for public school construction; and (ii) consult with the Division of Facilities Construction and Management Administration and the state security chief appointed under Section 53-22-102 on proposed guidelines before adoption. (b) The state board shall ensure that guidelines adopted under Subsection (2)(a)(i) maximize funds used for public school construction and reflect efficient and economic use of those funds, including adopting guidelines that address a school's safety and a school's essential needs rather than encouraging or endorsing excessive costs per square foot of construction or nonessential facilities, design, or furnishings. (3) Before a school district or charter school may begin public school construction, the school district or charter school shall: (a) review the guidelines adopted by the state board under this section; and (b) take into consideration the guidelines when planning the public school construction. (4) In adopting the guidelines for public school construction, the state board shall consider the following and adopt alternative guidelines as needed: (a) location factors, including whether the school is in a rural or urban setting, and climate factors; (b) variations in guidelines for significant or minimal projected student population growth; (c) guidelines specific to schools that serve various populations and grades, including high schools, junior high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, alternative schools, and schools for people with disabilities; and (d) year-round use. (5) The guidelines shall address the following: (a) square footage per student; (b) minimum and maximum required real property for a public school; (c) athletic facilities and fields, playgrounds, and hard surface play areas; (d) necessary specifications to meet the safety standards created by the state security chief in Section 53E-3-706; (e) cost per square foot; (f) minimum and maximum qualities and costs for building materials; (g) design efficiency; (h) parking; (i) furnishing; (j) proof of compliance with applicable building codes; and (k) safety.
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