Educational Planning Firms Announce Merger

Irvine, Calif. - Cooperative Strategies, LLC, an educational consulting firm headquartered in Irvine, California, and DeJONG-RICHTER, LLC, an educational facility planning firm located in Hilliard, Ohio have merged into one firm to focus on the planning and financing of schools nationwide. The merger came after careful consideration of how to utilize the firms' individual expertise in a collaborative manner to provide public school districts and other local educational agencies with the best tools and resources available. As of January 1, 2017, the combined firms began to operate under the Cooperative Strategies name.

For more than two decades, Cooperative Strategies has focused on providing California school districts with comprehensive services for the planning and financing of facilities construction and improvements. Uniting with DeJONG-RICHTER brings the firm nationwide expertise with advanced approaches to facilities planning that combine key data analysis with community outreach. Their focus on educational assessments aids educational agencies in crafting facilities plans that reflect the unique needs of their students. Combined, the firms have helped plan and finance school facilities for over 2,000 local educational agencies, serving millions of students across the nation.

Tracy Richter, Chief Executive Officer of DeJONG-RICHTER, says uniting with Cooperative Strategies was the "right move" for his firm. "This is an exciting opportunity to combine two firms committed to providing the highest quality learning environments. Cooperative Strategies' expertise in financial analysis related to demographics and facilities conditions is an ideal complement to our educational approach to planning."

Featured

  • Uvalde Schools Receive AI Security Technology through Grant Program

    AI-powered gun detection and emergency response technology solutions provider Omnilert recently launched the Save Haven Grant program, according to a news release. The first recipient of the grant, aimed specifically at schools that have faced gun violence, will be the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (Uvalde CISD) in Uvalde, Texas.

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

  • California School District Starts Construction on Public Safety Center

    The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) recently announced that construction has begun on a new public safety center that will house the district’s safety and security programs. According to a news release, the James Ramos Center for Public Safety will measure in at 17,140 square feet and contain the district’s Police Department, Office of Emergency Management, and cadet program.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

Digital Edition