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

  • Nonprofit Launches Center to Boost Data-Driven Student Success Strategies

    National nonprofit Complete College America (CCA) recently launched the Center for Leadership, Institutional Metrics, and Best Practices (CLIMB), according to a news release. CLIMB’s ultimate purpose is to help higher-education institutions use data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes by providing tools, frameworks, and support.

  • Midland ISD Starts Construction on Two New High Schools

    The Midland Independent School District recently announced that it will break ground on two new high schools in Midland, Texas, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes to create a total of over 1.5 million square feet for 8,400 students in grades 9–12.

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • 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.

Digital Edition