Site Selection Guide School Site Selection and Approval Guide
	Prepared by School Facilities Planning Division California Department of Education Click Below The California Department of Education's Approval and Site Selection Comprehensive Guide

Appendix

Appendix A
Site Selection Process

When a school district is planning to acquire a site for a school, it must take various factors into consideration. The School Facilities Planning Division has developed three work sheets to assist the district in assessing potential sites and making preliminary selections. The work sheets, which are included in this appendix, outline a set of 12 primary criteria governing school site selection and consists of three components: Site Selection Criteria, Site Selection Evaluation, and a Comparative Evaluation of Candidate Sites. These components allow for a comprehensive examination of sites to determine strengths and weaknesses (Site Selection Criteria); a ranking of each site (Site Selection Evaluation); and finally, a comparison of sites by the rating factors and total scoring (Comparative Evaluation of Candidate Sites). The criteria are consistent with the California Education Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 5, California Public Resources Code, and the California Department of Education policies and guidelines.

Although these standards are not the sole criteria to be considered by a school district's site selection committee, the committee may find them useful in evaluating various sites, identifying at least three acceptable sites from which a final choice can be made, and, eventually, explaining the site selection process to interested entities.

Each primary element listed on the Site Selection Criteria work sheet contains secondary measures that provide the committee the opportunity to apply a specific set of guidelines to each potential site and aid in the analysis of a site. The secondary criteria may also be used by the committee to understand better the types of data needed in identifications, selection, and final acquisition of a school site. After considering both primary and secondary standards on the work sheet, the committee should rank the sites in order of acceptability by completing the second and third work sheets.

Part 1. Site Selection Criteria (PDF; 19.5KB; 3pp.)

Part 2. Site Selections Evaluation (PDF; 13.8KB; 1p.)

Part 3. Comparative Evaluation of Candidate Sites (PDF; 11.3KB; 1pp.)

Appendix B
Evaluation Checklist for School Bus Driveways (PDF; 21.6KB; 1p.)

Appendix C
SFPD 4.0 Initial School Site Evaluation PDF (73KB; 3pp.; Jul-2004) | DOC (287KB; 3pp.; Jul-2004))

Appendix D
SFPD 4.01 School Site Approval Procedures PDF (39KB; 3pp.; Sep-2004) | DOC (231KB; 3pp.; Sep-2004)

Appendix E
SFPD 4.02 School Site Report PDF (87KB; 4pp.; Jul-2004) | DOC (258KB; 4pp.; Jul-2004)

Appendix F
SFPD 4.03 School Site Certification PDF (65KB; 1p.; Jul-2004) | DOC (217KB; 1p.; Jul-2004)

Appendix G
Factors to Be Included in a Geological and Environmental Hazards Report

1. Site Description
   
   1. Location of site identified by street name, lot number(s), or other descriptors that are site specific.
      
   2. Description of site reconnaissance, including the vegetation (describe type), and previous site usage.
      
2. Geological
   
   1. Seismic and Fault Hazard
      
      1. Whether the site is in Alquist-Priolo zone; whether it is situated on or near a pressure ridge, geological fault, or fault trace that may rupture during the life of the school building; and what the student risk factor is.
         
      2. Locations and potential for ground shaking of nearby faults or fault traces. Discussion of field inspection and reconnaissance.
         
      3. Subsurface conditions determined by exploration and literature review.
         
   2. Liquefaction Subsidence or Expansive Potential
      
      1. Discussion of subsoil condition relative to ground water and the potential for liquefaction.
         
      2. Mitigating factors.
         
   3. Dam or Flood Inundation and Street Flooding
      
      1. Location of the site in relation to flood zones and dam inundation areas.
         
      2. If the site is in a flood zone, give year, type, and potential hazard.
         
      3. Potential for sheet flooding, street flooding, and dam or flood inundation.
         
   4. Slope Stability
      
      1. If located on or near a slope.
         
      2. Discuss potential for instability and landslides.
         
   5. Mitigations
      
      1. Discuss mitigations and potential development of the site as it relates to student safety and staff use.
         
3. Environmental (Where applicable)
   
   1. Health Hazards
      
      1. Describe the mitigation, if on or near a hazardous or solid waste disposal, to ensure that the wastes have been removed before acquisition.
         
      2. Discuss soils sample and underground water sample test results and, if toxics are present, the cleanup procedures.
         
      3. Address the presence of asbestos if serpentine rock is present.
         
      4. Identify facilities within one-quarter mile of the site that may emit hazardous air emissions. Provide air emissions test results and an analysis of the potential hazard to students and staff (written findings required).
   2. High-Pressure Pipelines and Electric Transmission Lines
      
      1. Identify proximity to all high-pressure gas lines, fuel transmission lines, pressurized sewer lines, and high-pressure water pipelines within 1,500 feet of the proposed site; and identify supply lines other than gas lines to the site or neighborhood.
         
      2. Identify all utility easements on or adjacent to the site and the kV capacity of the easement.

Appendix H
References to Codes

Code sections may be found on the Web at www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html (Outside Source). Click on the code you want and enter the section number.

Education Code

Education Code references pertaining to site selection can also be found at the School Facilities Planning Division Web site: www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/codes.asp.

Note: Additional regulations for school sites and plans are set forth in the California Code of Regulations, Title 5.

Public Resources Code

Health and Safety Code

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