Master Plans Resources

This webpage contains resources for the Essentials in School Facilities Master Plans.

Publications

BEST Collaborative, 2005, Recommended Policies for Public School Facilities,“Section 1: Facilities Planning.”
California Department of Education (CDE), Educational Specifications: Linking Design of School Facilities to Educational Program (PDF) Sacramento, CA: CDE, 1997).
California Department of Education, Sustainable Communities and Schools Planning (PDF), Sacramento: California Department of Education, 2015.
The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans, California Department of Education, 2026.
The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (LRFMP) was revised in 2026, with updated guidance on master planning for local educational agencies and Proposition 2 requirements for school districts applying for School Facility Program Funding.
21st Century School Fund, 2011, PK-12 Public Educational Facilities Master Plan Evaluation Guide (PDF).

Questions: Molly Stitt | mstitt@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-6249

Last Reviewed: Thursday, November 12, 2026

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The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (updated 10-Nov-2026)
The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (LRFMP) was revised in 2026, with updated guidance on master planning for local educational agencies and Proposition 2 requirements for school districts applying for School Facility Program Funding.
Key Components of a Facilities Master Plan (added 10-Nov-2026)
The elements of a typical facilities master plan (FMP) and guidance on what to include, how to organize the information, and why it matters, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Conclusion (added 10-Nov-2026)
A summary on master plans as living documents that reflect thoughtful educational goals and future planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Education Programs with Specialized Facility Needs (added 10-Nov-2026)
The importance of including specialized facilities in facilities master plans to meet the needs of educational programs and students with disabilities, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Additional Considerations and Planning the Future (added 10-Nov-2026)
Integrating sustainability, safety, accessibility, and climate resiliency into every stage of facilities master planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.

Appendix A (added 10-Nov-2026)
A table of Facilities Master Plan Elements vs. Proposition 2 Requirements, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Appendix B (added 10-Nov-2026)
A summary of additional required elements per Proposition 2, from the Guide to Long- Range Facilities Master Plans.
Facilities Master Planning Resources (added 10-Nov-2026)
Additional resources, facilities master plan (FMP) exemplars, and links to the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) Guidelines for the Five-Year School Facilities Master Plan, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Introduction (added 10-Nov-2026)
An introduction of the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Facilities Master Planning Process (added 10-Nov-2026)
Best practices for launching a facilities master planning (FMP) effort, engaging stakeholders, and long-term planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.