Charters
FMPs for Charter Schools
The Facilities Master Plan/Educational Specification (FMP/Ed Specs) Checklist and Guidelines provides the requirements for completing an FMP fo State-Chartered Charter Schools.
For charter schools, the FMP has two purposes. The Facilities Master Plan component typically applies to schools that have a building or know of a specific building they would like to locate. Some items typically in the FMP may not be applicable because a charter school might not be in a permanent facility.
For charter schools not in a permanent facility, the ed specs help the charter school define the quantity, size, and characteristics of instructional and support spaces in a desired facility according to the school’s education program and curriculum. This information is useful for the applicant charter as it looks for suitable buildings to house its school.
Charter Five Year Renewal Program
Charter schools can renew their exisiting 5-year FMP/Ed Specs if they meet the following criteria:
- The school already has a governing board and PSFA-approved 5-year FMP/Ed Specs document.
- The charter school owns its building, is in a lease to purchase arrangement, OR does not plan to move in the next 5 years.
- The charter school has not changed location since adopting its existing FMP/Ed Specs with the exception of moving into brand new space owned by the charter or its foundation within two year of the existing plan’s expiration.
- The school has not changed its enrollment cap identified in the existing FMP/Ed Specs. (Growth to meet its cap is acceptable. This provision pertains to schools that have decided to significantly change their cap since adoption of existing plan.) Significantly means the school has increased its cap to the point where it needs to add one or more classroom wings and increase gross square feet.
- The school is still employing the same education model and curriculum delivery methods identified in the existing FMP/Ed Specs.
- The school has not completed any capital projects that have significantly altered its existing building with additions or reductions that increased or decreased square footage.
- The existing FMP/Ed Specs floor plans and site plans are still current and pertain to the existing facility.
- Governing Board must adopt the renewal.
Charter School Applicant Facilities Master Plan/Ed Specs Checklist
As a part of their application to the State of New Mexico Public Education Commission, State-chartered and district chartered school applicants are required to submit a Facility Master Plan/Educational Specifications document to PSFA for approval. Visit the PEC website for more information.
The ed specs component helps the applicant charter school define the quantity, size, and characteristics of instructional and support spaces in a desired facility according to the school’s educational program and curriculum. This information is useful for the applicant charter as it looks for suitable buildings to house its schools.
The Facilities Master Plan component typically applies to schools that have a building or know of a specific building they would like to locate. These sections outline capital improvements that may be needed for the school to function and support the school’s educational program.
Need Financial Assistance?
The PSFA offers Lease Assistance awards for charter schools that do not own their building(s).