The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans

LRFMP Home | Introduction | FMP Process | FMP Key Components | Specialized Facility Needs

Additional Considerations | Conclusion | Appendix A | Appendix B | FMP Resources

Revised Guidance on School Facilities Master Planning

Dear County and District Superintendents and Facilities Leaders:

The California Department of Education (CDE) is committed to advancing high-quality educational opportunities for all prekindergarten through grade twelve (PK-12) students across the state. Safe, healthy, accessible, and well-maintained school facilities support teaching and learning and help ensure that students have equitable opportunities to succeed.

California’s school communities face different—and sometimes overlapping—facilities challenges. Some must accommodate enrollment growth and new housing, while others must respond to declining enrollment and underutilized campuses. Aging buildings and infrastructure require continued investment, even where student enrollment is decreasing. Changing educational programs, technology, and climate conditions create additional demands on facilities and limited resources.

Facilities master planning is a critical tool for ensuring that school environments continue to meet the evolving needs of students, educators, and communities. A well-developed facilities master plan (FMP) helps local educational agencies (LEAs) assess existing conditions, anticipate enrollment and program needs, evaluate alternatives, and prioritize investments over time.

Prudent facilities planning is essential to making the right investments in the places where Californians learn. An FMP provides a foundation for deciding when to maintain, modernize, expand, replace, or repurpose facilities—and for explaining those decisions to the communities they serve. Considering both initial costs and ongoing maintenance and operating needs helps protect public investments for future generations.

To support this work, the CDE is pleased to provide this updated facilities master planning guidance as a non-regulatory resource for LEAs. Although Proposition 2 established five-year facilities master plan requirements for school districts participating in the School Facility Program, the broader purpose of this guidance is to strengthen local planning practices, whether or not state funding is being pursued.

This document outlines the key components of an effective FMP and addresses specialized educational programs, community engagement, and long-term considerations such as accessibility, indoor air quality, outdoor learning, and climate resilience. It is intended to be flexible and adaptable to local conditions and planning capacity, including the needs of small and rural districts. The CDE does not review, approve, or enforce FMPs; school districts should consult the Office of Public School Construction for current funding-related requirements.

Planning places where California learns is an enduring responsibility. Through thoughtful planning, meaningful community engagement, and regular reassessment, we can preserve the value of existing facilities while preparing learning environments for the students and communities of tomorrow.

Sincerely,

J. Juan Mireles | Director
School Facilities and Transportation Services Division