It's Finally Summer!

And there is plenty of work to be done.

While students take time off for the summer, the facilities departments at districts across the country are operating at breakneck speed in an attempt to ready their facilities for the 2014-15 school year. This job has always been a challenge, but it has become an even bigger undertaking for many districts that have had to cut facilities and maintenance positions and add responsibilities to the few dedicated employees that are left. Over the past few years, we have all had to root out waste, do more with less, and learn the difference between “want” and “need.” We’ve also been forced to take the time to look at processes and procedures, and create efficiencies.

The lessons, for the most part, have been good ones. The reality is, most of us would have comfortable sticking with the status-quo if not prompted/forced to look at what we were doing and find a better way to do it. Most districts have made the necessary cuts and instituted cost-saving procedures, and are now at a point where any more belt-tightening would have an adverse impact on their school facilities. The good news is that the economy is expanding and state revenues are increasing, although many are still keeping a tight rein on spending. This is news that could not have come at a better time with all of the summer projects now in full swing.

There is a lot to accomplish in just a few short months. We are looking at everything from routine maintenance (which hasn’t exactly been routine lately) to minor renovations and bringing buildings up to code. Spaces are being reconfigured and new furniture and fixtures are being installed to better facilitate teaching and learning styles. Safety and security is being reviewed and improved. Information technology is being updated. New roofs, heating and cooling systems, flooring and carpeting, and other building systems are all being installed.

With schools receiving a ‘D’ on the American Society of Civil Engineers 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure, there is plenty of work that needs to be done! The U. S. Department of Education’s Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 2012–13 report put numbers to it…. Fifty-three percent of public schools need to spend money on repairs, renovations and modernizations to put the school’s onsite buildings in good overall condition. The total amount needed was estimated to be approximately $197 billion, and the average dollar amount for schools needing to spend money was about $4.5 million per school.

With a list like that, it this doesn’t appear there will be much time for a summer vacation. Maybe next year!

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • The Role of Unified Communications in Hyflex Education

    Academic technology and pedagogy have evolved in ways few could have imagined a decade ago. Today, hybrid/flexible (or hyflex) learning environments — a mix of in-person and remote instruction — are the new normal. However, as promising as it sounds, making hyflex work smoothly is no small feat.

  • cutaway view of a modern school building, showing various rooms and zones

    Layering AI into HVAC Systems Shows Reduction in Carbon Emissions

    Heating and cooling systems are just one of the many new ways that AI can be integrated into schools. According to a new study from Schneider Electric's Sustainability Research Institute, AI-powered HVAC systems in schools can lead to significant carbon emissions savings.

  • DLR Group Hires Higher Education Business Development Leader

    Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that Senior Associate Megan Todd will serve as its new Higher Education Business Development Leader, according to a news release. Her responsibilities will include building the firm’s reach and client relationships in the California higher education sector, based out of San Diego.

  • Inglewood Unified School District Breaks Ground on New High School

    The Inglewood Unified School District in Inglewood, Calif., recently broke ground on a new campus for Inglewood High School, according to a news release. The project has a budget of about $240 million, funding coming through bond proceeds from Measure I.

Digital Edition