Gilroy Unified School District Facilities Master Plan

Sustainable Facilities Planning Guide

Purpose
This Sustainable Facilities Planning Guide establishes GUSD’s framework for designing and constructing educational facilities that support environmental responsibility, student health, operational efficiency, and alignment with California’s regulatory codes. It also supports Gilroy USD’s LCAP goals of whole-child wellness, equitable access, and future-ready learning through the integration of environmental literacy and sustainable infrastructure.
Regulatory Framework

All new construction and modernization projects shall comply with:

  • California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) – Title 24, Part 11
  • California Energy Code – Title 24, Part 6
  • California Plumbing Code – Title 24, Part 5
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) – As applicable

These codes provide minimum requirements for water use reduction, energy efficiency, building envelope performance, low-emission materials, and indoor environmental quality.

The District also incorporates the sustainable design principles outlined in the 2016 GUSD Sustainable Design Guidelines, including site, building, and operational strategies for environmental stewardship.

Sustainability Design Standards

1. Energy (Electricity and Gas)
  • All new buildings shall be all-electric, with no new gas infrastructure.
  • Use high-efficiency heat pump systems for HVAC and water heating.
  • Incorporate on-site solar PV systems and battery storage where feasible.
  • Maximize natural ventilation and operable windows with mechanical overrides.
  • Utilize building orientation and passive design strategies for night flushing and thermal comfort.
  • Design for zero net energy (ZNE) readiness by minimizing load and optimizing passive strategies (daylighting, insulation, ventilation).
  • Specify cool roofs (Energy Star compliant) or green roofs to reduce heat gain and support habitat restoration.
Environmental Literacy Connection

Supporting the District’s LCAP priorities around student wellness, engagement, and community relevance, GUSD facilities shall serve as teaching tools for sustainability. Examples include:

  • Providing real-time energy and water dashboards in public spaces
  • Designing school gardens, composting systems, and outdoor learning environments
  • Integrating recycling, waste reduction, and air quality systems that students interact with
  • Using signage and curricula linked to energy systems, climate adaptation, and biodiversity

These features build environmental literacy and empower students to understand their role in local and global sustainability.

Implementation Guidance
  • Design teams must submit a Sustainability Compliance Narrative as part of project planning.
  • GUSD will maintain a checklist aligned to CALGreen Tier 1 standards to guide project reviews.
  • Projects shall aim to exceed minimum Title 24 performance by at least 10%, where feasible.
  • Refer to Appendix A (GUSD Sustainable Design Guidelines, 2016) for additional implementation details.
Menu
Menu