Phoenix, AZ – Governor Katie Hobbs’ Minimum Adequacy Guidelines (MAG) Committee has issued its final report, outlining recommendations to modernize Arizona’s standards for public school facilities. Established by Executive Order 2023-15, the committee included experts from urban and rural schools, educators, public safety professionals, and school architects.
“Arizona children deserve safe and secure schools, no matter their zip code,” Governor Hobbs said. “Aging facilities and outdated building standards impair our students’ ability to fulfill their full potential. We have a responsibility to foster productive environments for them to learn and grow. I thank the members of this committee for their hard work and dedication to this issue, and I look forward to engaging productively with the legislature to address the state of Arizona’s public school facilities.”
Key Recommendations from the Report:
- Enhanced Security: Updates to interior and exterior school security features.
- Indoor Air Quality and Comfort: Clearer standards for air quality and classroom environment.
- Building Maintenance and Structural Soundness: Defined protocols for maintaining systems and assessing safety.
- Flexible Learning Spaces: Adaptable space configurations and instructional equipment.
- Technology Infrastructure: Improved systems to support and secure IT resources and devices.
- Playground Shade Structures: Increased shading for elementary school play areas.
These updates aim to ensure equitable access to safe, efficient, and modern public school facilities across Arizona.
The School Facilities Division will oversee the School Facilities Oversight Board’s review and potential adoption of these recommendations, setting the stage for improved learning environments statewide.
