Other Program Activities

Requirements and Questions

The High Performance Public Buildings act was passed in 2005.
RCW 39.35D High Performance Public Buildings

The intent: The legislature finds that public buildings can be built and renovated using high-performance methods that save money, improve school performance, and make workers more productive. High-performance public buildings are proven to increase student test scores, reduce worker absenteeism, and cut energy and utility costs.

What school projects does this law apply to?

The law applies to all major construction projects of public school districts receiving any funding in a state capital budget. A major project means: 1) a construction project larger than five thousand gross square feet of occupied or conditioned space as defined in the Washington energy code; or 2) a building renovation project when the cost is greater than fifty percent of the assessed value and the project is larger than five thousand gross square feet or occupied or conditioned space as defined in the Washington state energy code. To compute assessed value districts will use the applicable construction cost allocation times the total building gross square feet.

When do the new requirements go into effect?

The law applies to all major facility projects that have not received project approval from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to:
     July 1, 2007, for Class One school districts - (over 2,000 students)

     July 1, 2008, for Class Two school districts - (under 2,000 students)

If the project received state approval (D4)before July 1, 2007, the requirements are not mandatory

What are the design standards?

All major facility projects of public school districts receiving any funding in a state capital budget must be designed and constructed to at least the LEED silver standard or the Washington Sustainable School Protocol.

The Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol (WSSP) is modeled after the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) green building protocol and adapted to fit Washington schools. WSSP is a self-certifying standard developed to help school districts comply with the goals of the law.

The U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.

What other requirements under this law for public school districts are there?

For five years following local board acceptance of a project, monitor and document appropriate operating benefits and savings resulting from major facility projects.

Report annually to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI must compile all of the reports into one report to the legislature every two years.