The School Planning section's activities revolve around these four main areas: Plan Review, Planning Assistance, Facility Information, and Publications and Workshops.

Plan Review
School Planning reviews plans for new schools, additions, and renovations. Design review helps to ensure that school facilities accommodate and facilitate educational programs. Reviews and comments stress safety, longevity, durability, flexibility, economy, and efficiency of building construction systems. Reviews and comments are directed towards maximizing local program flexibility while providing accountability regarding the Facility Guidelines approved by the State Board of Education. Often, design review conferences are held involving the designers, local unit facilities staff and school planning staff.

Planning Assistance
Planning assistance is provided to local units. This assistance includes facilities guidelines such as the North Carolina Public Schools Facility Guidelines which lists site and floor area guidelines for all components of schools. School Planning has developed computer spreadsheet programs which translate individual guidelines into building area profiles for complete schools. School Planning evaluates facility needs and provides analysis of specific building or site problems, with priority placed on small and low-wealth school systems. Instruction and guidance are available to assist all units with facility planning and self-evaluation. Site selection assistance and final inspection services are also provided. School construction cost information is maintained and made available. School Planning provides technical assistance and administration of state funding for school construction.

Facility Information
A Facility Information Management System is being developed to provide planning tools and building data for local and state planning. A Prototype School Building Plans Clearinghouse is planned to provide information about the new schools that are being built in the state and to provide access to architects that have designed successful school projects (watch the DPI home page for developments).

Publications and Workshops
New planning guide publications are prepared periodically. State educational planners, architects, engineers and schools of education and architecture are partnered in the development of these publications. School Planning provides workshops and presentations on facility design, planning, and management.