Another BIG Change

I’ve written hundreds of columns, but this one was by far the hardest to write. My first article for School Planning & Management was written in January 1997 while I was still the director of Operations for the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. Today, some 20 years later, I am writing my last. I have loved my job with the magazines, our talented team, and the dedicated people who make up the industry that I have been fortunate enough to work in. Together we have turned SP&M/CP&M into valuable resources providing information on how we can improve the learning environment and how facilities can be a catalyst for change.

Leaving is never easy and the idea of retiring is bittersweet, but we have built a strong team that will carry on the work that we have started. Effective June 1, Karen Cavallo will take over as publisher for the magazines. Jerry Enderle, my partner in crime here for the last 18 years, will expand his role. For those of you who may be curious about what I am doing next, well for starters… I’m taking my grandkids to Disneyland! Thanks to all of you for joining me on this wild and wonderful ride!


I am Jerry Enderle. I have been the person behind the scenes with this magazine for 18 years. My title has changed a number of times. Currently, the one on my metaphorical door is editor-in-chief. I will be writing this column in future issues.

Like Deb, this column is difficult for me to write. Not because it is my first for this magazine, but because it is an official goodbye to a person with whom I have worked closely for many years. She has been more than my boss and coworker. She has been, and will continue to be, a good friend and mentor.

Her retirement will not only be felt by the staff and her coworkers, but throughout the industry. By sharing her wisdom and insight concerning the importance of well-designed, well-maintained and properly administered and secured educational facilities, and emphasizing their affect on the students, teachers, staff and entire community, she has played an important role in improving our schools.

With Deb no longer serving in that very important role, it is the responsibility of those of us who remain to step up and continue that mission. The staff and I assure you that we will do our best to continue to provide quality, informative content in our print and digital publications.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • Wold Architects & Engineers Announces Acquisition of JJCA

    Wold Architects & Engineers, based in Minneapolis, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired JJCA, an architecture firm based in Nashville, Tenn., according to a press release. JJCA specializes in healthcare and education design; the partnership allows both firms to expand their presence across the country while building on existing strengths.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.