"The design and education communities have told us our existing manual is too prescriptive and cumbersome. We agreed with comments from the various stakeholders and engaged the New Jersey Institute of Technology to help revise it. NJIT responded with a draft manual based on performance standards, not prescriptive ones," said Scott Weiner, CEO of the SCC.

"Consistent with our commitment to collaboration and transparency, we are seeking feedback from stakeholders who could be affected by these revisions. We are asking them to review the draft and respond to us, by e-mail or in person, before we submit a finalized version," Weiner said.

A draft of the Design Manual is available on the SCC website www.njscc.com. Its focus is on educationally appropriate, community-focused, safe, secure, clean and environmentally friendly buildings. It also targets sustainable, cost-effective design.

The manual is a living document that will be updated as SCC project teams learn more efficient and effective ways to design and build schools in New Jersey.

The SCC will hear oral comments at a public forum Thursday, January 11 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Stakeholders may e-mail their written comments to the SCC at DesignManual@njscc.com no later than Friday, January 12.

The SCC has asked stakeholders to focus on specific areas: Performance Objectives, Design Criteria, Performance Requirements, Prescriptive Requirements, Report-Based Management Approach and the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Checklist. The exchange of diverse ideas will provide the SCC staff with a better understanding of the issues and ensure any revisions successfully address the goals of the school construction program.