Section 17251 Of Article 1. State Department Of Education: Powers And Duties From California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 10.5. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.
17251
. The State Department of Education shall:
(a) Upon the request of the governing board of any school
district, advise the governing board on the acquisition of new
schoolsites and, after a review of available plots, give the
governing board in writing a list of the recommended locations in the
order of their merit, considering especially the matters of
educational merit, safety, reduction of traffic hazards, and
conformity to the land use element in the general plan of the city,
county, or city and county having jurisdiction. The governing board
may purchase a site deemed unsuitable for school purposes by the
State Department of Education only after reviewing the department's
report on proposed sites at a public hearing. The department shall
charge the school district a reasonable fee for each schoolsite
reviewed not to exceed the actual administrative costs incurred for
that purpose.
(b) Develop standards for use by a school district in the
selection of schoolsites, in accordance with the objectives set forth
in subdivision (a). The department shall investigate complaints of
noncompliance with site selection standards and shall notify the
governing board of the results of the investigation. If that
notification is received prior to the acquisition of the site, the
governing board shall discuss the findings of the investigation in a
public hearing.
(c) Establish standards for use by school districts to ensure that
the design and construction of school facilities are educationally
appropriate and promote school safety.
(d) Upon the request of the governing board of any school
district, review plans and specifications for school buildings in the
district.
The department shall charge governing boards of school districts,
for the review of plans and specifications, a reasonable fee not to
exceed the actual administrative costs incurred for that purpose.
(e) Upon the request of the governing board of any school
district, make a survey of the building needs of the district, advise
the governing board concerning the building needs, suggest plans for
financing a building program to meet the needs. The department shall
charge the district, for the cost of the survey, a reasonable fee
not to exceed the actual administrative costs incurred for that
purpose.
(f) Provide information relating to the impact or potential impact
upon any schoolsite of hazardous substances, solid waste, safety,
hazardous air emissions, and other information as the department may
deem appropriate.