PreK-12 Ed


Renovate and Build New

Built on the site of an 1887 school, the 1920s Lone Pine Elementary School in east Medford, OR, is about to undergo a phased renovation and construction project that will result in an eco-friendly, mostly new school.

Is Your Security Technology Working?

Security experts who understand how K-12 schools work can usually prevent deadly gaps upfront and, as seen in this case, can often help correct misapplication of security technology. Clearly, the assessment process is far smoother and much less expensive

A Renovation Alternative

Merrill Community Schools, a district that serves over 800 students in Saginaw County, MI, faced tight budgets, inefficient building systems, and rising energy costs. But although the district wanted to make infrastructure improvements and cut its utility

Education in the First 100 Days

The inauguration of President-elect Obama in January brings not only changes to the executive branch, but also changes in Congress with a larger Democratic majority. While we have a month until that happens, much is still going on with the transition team

Energy Efficiency: It Is More Than a Simple Black and White Issue

It can be argued that energy efficiency has impacted the roofing industry more than other aspect of the construction industry. Codes have been developed, organizations formed and regulations established – all addressing the issue of energy-efficient

Best Practices for Carpet Specification and Maintenance

Specifying carpet in schools continues to be the subject of great debate. Finding a carpet style that meets all of the design, performance, budget, and sustainability objectives for a renovation or new construction project can seem like an overwhelming, i

Making the Old New Again

The repercussions of the current economic downturn are being felt far beyond the real estate and financial markets where the problem originated; the school construction industry is certainly no exception. Budget deficits are standing in the way of schools

Making Wise and Healthy Choices

Now schools and universities installing new restrooms or redesigning old ones are viewing them with a lot of old-fashioned practicality in mind. Instead of expensive, luxury fixtures, more educational facilities are turning to sensible, long-lasting produ

Supporting Learning in a One-Laptop-Per-Child Future

A compelling issue in education and school planning is how to engage "digital natives" in the learning process, especially when they are being taught by "digital immigrants." Children who are immersed in technology from the moment they

School Maintenance and Operations Report

Anyone who does it knows that keeping a school in running condition is not an easy task. Multiply that by the number of schools in a district, and the job is that much more difficult. Here is a look at some districts' custodial and maintenance standa

Building Blueprints -- Administrative/Office Space

Administrative and office space can inspire, calm and communicate a variety of qualities. However, it sometimes doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Public and private school districts spend $6B each year on energy to power their facilities, according to The Consortium for Energy Efficiency figures. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems comprise approximately 45 percent of that ene

Approaching the Issue of School Bureaucracy

As we look forward to a new administration in the White House and the possibility of a new look at school reform and No Child Left Behind, one of the inevitable topics of discussion is bureaucracy in our public school system. Bureaucracy developed out of

Projecting Student Enrollment in Tough Economic Times

National economic problems are impacting local school districts as states cut back on aid and taxpayers resist increases. On top of the summer's spike in fuel costs, these problems are forcing school districts to make difficult spending decisions. Bu

Digital Bulletin Boards

New LCD and plasma display systems promote athletic schedules, social events, students' work, emergency communications, and more.Systems can be set up with screens doing different jobs depending on location. Lobby screens can welcome visitors. Classr

Tough Economic Times

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there will be a 22 percent increase in the number of jobs requiring postsecondary education by 2020, and we can expect a deficit of 12 million skilled workers unless access to higher education is improved. Yet coll

Caught on Camera

Four years ago, Robert Spitz started lobbying the Taos school board for surveillance cameras at the district schools. He was especially concerned about security at the high school. Not only were they trying to avert the usual mischief that high school tee

Dining Areas and Student Commons

The Dalton School, a school with grades K-12, located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, recently completed a complete renovation of its central dining and student commons. To better serve over 1,200 student and faculty lunches, the design needed to sol

Breaking the 'Sound Barrier' for Enhanced Classroom Learning

The ability to hear properly, especially in pre-school and elementary school classrooms, is one of the most important factors in a child's ability to process and learn new information. According to the Institute for Enhanced Classroom Learning, child

Environmental Considerations for Learning Styles

According to the theory of multiple learning styles, students have a multitude of distinct ways in which they optimally absorb and retain information. The combination of several individual attributes is unique for each child, but there are prevailing them

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