SECTIONS 17059-17059.2 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 17059-17059.2

17059. The Legislature finds and declares as follows:
(a) In many areas of the state, overcrowding in the schools has
created a need for new school facilities in neighborhoods where
little or no vacant land exists. School districts are compelled,
therefore, to acquire property that already has been developed with
structures, then demolish these structures and construct classroom
space.
(b) With an estimated statewide need for school facilities within
the next five years that exceeds fourteen billion dollars
($14,000,000,000), neither state nor local funds reasonably can be
anticipated to meet this need.
(c) In many of the areas having overcrowded schools, a significant
supply exists of vacant space in structures meeting current building
codes.
(d) Use of this vacant space by schools can be a cost-effective
means of providing classroom space for the students of California.
(e) This chapter and Section 4-306 of Part 1 of Title 24 of the
California Code of Regulations authorize the reconstruction of
existing commercial buildings for school facility purposes.
(f) No existing commercial building shall be considered for
reconstruction for school facility classroom purposes unless it was
designed and constructed according to the standards established in
the 1976 Uniform Building Code or subsequent editions of that code.

17059.1. In a manner that is consistent with this chapter and the
California Code of Regulations, a school district that is eligible
for an apportionment for project funding for new construction under
this chapter may use that apportionment for the acquisition and
conversion of an existing commercial building to school facility
purposes.

17059.2. The State Allocation Board in conjunction with the office
of the State Architect shall advise all school districts in the state
of the existence of the procedure for reconstructing existing
commercial buildings for school facility purposes and shall upon
request assist in the interpretation and successful implementation of
the pertinent regulations in the California Code of Regulations.