17070.56.
(a) The State Department of Education shall establish the Office of Small School Facilities and Construction to provide assistance and guidance to small school districts.(b) Upon request of a small school district, the State Department of Education shall provide assistance in the evaluation and utilization of existing school facilities and the justification of the need of schoolsites, new facilities, and the rehabilitation or replacement of existing facilities, in accordance with board regulations. The assistance provided by the State Department of Education shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Informing small school districts of laws and regulations that apply to small school districts.
(2) Providing assistance in the assessment of school facility conditions.
(3) Providing technical assistance and supportive services.
(c) The State Department of Education shall collaborate with the Office of Public School Construction to provide assistance and guidance to small school districts in the identification, application, and acquisition of state school facilities funding for the construction and development of school facilities. The assistance provided by the State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Office of Public School Construction, shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) Annually informing small school districts of the availability of state school facilities funding for which they may qualify.
(2) Responding to requests for assistance in identifying and determining state requirements to become eligible and apply for state school facilities funding.
(3) Informing small school districts of laws and regulations that apply to small school districts.
(d) The State Department of Education shall assign existing staff to the office to provide direct assistance and support to small school districts.
(e) For purposes of this section, “small school district” means a school district or county office of education with an average daily attendance of 2,500 pupils or fewer.