MINOR RENOVATIONS PROGRAM

Most school renovation spending goes to smaller projects, yet there’s no clear industry standard to guide them. Existing certification programs focus on large-scale construction, leaving districts without the staff, funding, or tools to manage minor upgrades—worsening inequities across schools.

the GAP

School facilities received a D+ on the Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, and it’s estimated that 53% of public schools need to invest in repairs, renovations, and modernizations now to put buildings in good overall condition. This will require a total investment of approximately $197B, adding on to the existing $85M/year funding gap for school facilities.

the FACTS

A program that is aimed at ensuring healthy, high-performance school design is the norm. It focuses on improving key building systems and components that affect student well-being and energy use. Its success depends on input from a wide range of experts, including school staff, designers, and manufacturers, working together to create practical and scalable renovation standard.

the SOLUTION

The public comment period for the Minor Renovations Program – Flooring Criteria has closed.

We invited educators, architects, designers, facility professionals, manufacturers, and all other stakeholders, to review and share feedback on our draft flooring criteria. Your insights will help ensure that this guidance is practical, scalable and effective for schools and districts of all sizes.

This first-of-its-kind program was created through close collaboration with industry leaders to support smaller renovation projects - like flooring - that too often fall through the cracks due to limited staff, funding, and access to best practices, deepening a significant equity gap across schools and districts. With your feedback, we are taking a step closer in providing an industry-aligned set of best practices that will establish a clear roadmap for healthy, efficient and sustainable school environments.

Will this program continue now that CHPS is part of USGBC? Yes! When CHPS and USGBC first began exploring a partnership, the program stood out as a compelling and impactful initiative aligned with USGBC’s goals. We’re committed to keeping sponsors informed and involved as we shape the program’s future within the USGBC framework, and we’ll provide ongoing updates and support throughout the transition. Have questions? Email us: schools@usgbc.com