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

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.