A Tough Balancing Act

In 2008, school districts in the United States spent just over $19.5B on construction projects completed during the year. This included nearly $13B on new schools and more than $6 billion on additions and renovations. Judging by the quality of projects shown in this year’s Education Design Showcase, it was money well spent. These facilities were designed to serve students and community, announcing the importance of education. But without proper maintenance, even quality construction will quickly deteriorate.

It is common knowledge that when school budgets tighten, the maintenance department is first to feel the pinch. The first priority for any school district is (and should be) educating kids. For most this means their dollars go toward instructional programs — not facilities. While cutting back on maintenance may seem to be a good economizer, teachers can’t teach and students can’t learn if the lights are out. We have already seen the effects of deferred maintenance on many of our school buildings — broken windows, leaky roofs, HVAC systems in poor repair, mold growing on restroom walls, sick students and staff. The list goes on.
 
This is where the balancing act begins. Instructional programs are important, but so is facility condition. We need to educate our students, take pride in our schools, protect our investments, and be good stewards of taxpayer money. One can’t happen without the other.

Featured

  • Rush-Henrietta Central School District’s Sperry High School

    A New Perspective: Using Adaptive Reuse Concepts in K-12 Planning

    In the face of increasing pressures on construction timelines, budgets, and material availability, the renovation and reuse of pre-existing structures for new purposes can help bridge the gap between modern school programming and outdated school infrastructure.

  • Texas A&M Adds ALPR Technology to Parking Solutions

    Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, recently integrated automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology into its parking services and enforcement strategies, according to a news release. The university’s Transportation Services division deployed Genetec AutoVu ALPR to manage the campus’ 36,000+ parking spaces.

  • California High School Debuts $35M Performing Arts Center

    Irvine High School in Irvine, Calif., recently opened its new Performing Arts Center built in partnership with C.W. Driver Companies, according to a news release. The facility cost $35 million and covers about 25,000 square feet.

  • Kraus-Anderson Continues Work in Minnesota School District

    Maple River Schools in Mapleton, Minn., recently began construction on another project included in a district long-range facilities plan. Construction management firm Kraus-Anderson recently began work on two new classrooms and an outdoor track and field facility, according to a news release.

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