C-17. School Facilities: Design, Construction, and Function

The National Education Association believes that school facilities must be conducive to teaching and learning. The physical environment must allow for a variety of needs, including the number of students, physical characteristics of students, changes in teaching methods, presentation of instruction, and an increased use of school facilities. The Association also believes that all school facilities must be well constructed, safe, energy-
efficient, aesthetically pleasing, accessible, functional, and adaptable to persons with disabilities. The Association supports facility designs with the use of nontoxic materials that promote healthy indoor air quality through properly designed, installed, and maintained heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The Association further believes that the use, installation, and maintenance of building materials in school facilities must be appropriate and comply with established local, state, and federal guidelines.

The Association believes that the community, parents/guardians, and education employees must be involved through site-based, shared decision making in designing these facilities. Construction designs should incorporate original art.

The Association also believes that stable and sufficient funding must be provided for the design, construction, adequate and ongoing maintenance, and operation of the school facility. (1992, 2009)