1. (a) Design ConferenceExcept for school building projects reviewed and approved by local officials pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-292 of the Connecticut General Statutes or unless waived by the Commissioner, the applicant shall attend a design conference to be scheduled by the Department. The Commissioner shall determine the scope and nature of the design conference, including whether to conduct the design conference virtually or in person. The design conference shall be attended by appropriate Department staff, the applicant’s superintendent of schools or chief executive officer, or their designee, one member of the applicant's building committee, one representative of the architectural firm designated to design the school building project, and any other person the Commissioner may require.

2. (b) Purchase Projects

   1. (1) If a proposed school building project involves the purchase of an existing building and a major alteration or renovation to such building, the provisions in sections 10-291 and 10-292 of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding filing of plans shall apply.
   2. (2) For school building projects that involve the purchase of a building or a site, the Department shall approve the building or site prior to the review of the final plans pursuant to section 10-292 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

   3. (3) To be eligible for a site acquisition grant, the site shall be used for a school building project, and shall be approved by the Commissioner if the applicant provides documentation that demonstrates the applicant considered the following criteria in selection of the proposed site:

      1. (A) The location and size of the school building project in relation to existing school facilities;
      2. (B) the adequacy and availability of utility services, including water, sanitary sewers, electricity and fire services;
      3. (C) the engineering, size, and shape adequacy of the site to support the school facilities;
      4. (D) compliance with zoning, wetlands, environmental protection and other laws and regulations;
      5. (E) demographic factors and population trends;
      6. (F) accessibility to the site;
      7. (G) the cost of acquiring, developing, maintaining and transporting pupils to the site; and (H) the availability of other sites.

3. (c) Final Plan Review

   1. (1) Filing of Plans and Supporting Documentation. The applicant shall file electronically with the Commissioner final plans that include:

      1. (A) One copy of the final plans and specifications for the school building project, or a phase of the school building project, as prepared for bidding and which specify the choice of site for the school building project;
      2. (B) a professional cost estimate of the school building project or phase and of any site acquisition;
      3. (C) certification that the documents described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision have been approved by the applicant and building committee; and (D) an itemized list of estimated eligible and ineligible costs, updated at the final design stage of each phase of the school building project, as applicable. The applicant shall also complete and file any checklist related to final plans provided by the Department.
   2. (2) Final Plan Review Meeting. The applicant shall request a final plan review meeting to be scheduled by the Department after submission of the final plans and supporting documentation described in subdivision (1) of this subsection and prior to final approval of such final plans.
4. (d) Change After Final ApprovalFor purposes of section 10-286(d) of the Connecticut General Statutes, the date of issuance of a change order or change directive shall be the earliest date of the contractor’s signature on a formal contract document used to amend the school building project’s owner/contractor agreement.

(Effective March 18, 2026)