Sec. 13a.01.02.05. Facilities Required in Public Schools

A. School Health Services. School health services shall be provided in designated health facilities consistent with COMAR 13A.05.05.10.

B. Physical Education Program.

(1) Scope. This section applies only to schools:

(a) Built and occupied, or renovated and occupied, after January 1, 2013; and

(b) For which a request for proposal for the selection of an architectural and engineering design consultant for construction or renovation was initiated after July 1, 2010.

(2) Purpose of Facilities. The facilities required in this section are to support the Physical Education instructional program required in COMAR 13A.04.13.

(3) Design Guidelines. The design of facilities required in this section shall be based on voluntary guidelines approved by the State Board of Education for physical education programs.

(4) The following minimum spaces are required:

(a) Gymnasium;

(b) Teacher office or planning area;

(c) Equipment storage area or areas;

(d) Outdoor instructional playing field; and

(e) Outdoor instructional hard surface area.

(5) Waiver.

(a) The local superintendent of schools may request a waiver of all or part of this section based on design constraints due to:

(i) Size of the school site;

(ii) Configuration of the school site; and

(iii) Zoning.

(b) The State Superintendent of Schools may waive all or part of this section.

(c) The waiver decision of the State Superintendent of Schools may be appealed to the State Board of Education.