Another BIG Change

I’ve written hundreds of columns, but this one was by far the hardest to write. My first article for School Planning & Management was written in January 1997 while I was still the director of Operations for the Council of Educational Facility Planners International. Today, some 20 years later, I am writing my last. I have loved my job with the magazines, our talented team, and the dedicated people who make up the industry that I have been fortunate enough to work in. Together we have turned SP&M/CP&M into valuable resources providing information on how we can improve the learning environment and how facilities can be a catalyst for change.

Leaving is never easy and the idea of retiring is bittersweet, but we have built a strong team that will carry on the work that we have started. Effective June 1, Karen Cavallo will take over as publisher for the magazines. Jerry Enderle, my partner in crime here for the last 18 years, will expand his role. For those of you who may be curious about what I am doing next, well for starters… I’m taking my grandkids to Disneyland! Thanks to all of you for joining me on this wild and wonderful ride!


I am Jerry Enderle. I have been the person behind the scenes with this magazine for 18 years. My title has changed a number of times. Currently, the one on my metaphorical door is editor-in-chief. I will be writing this column in future issues.

Like Deb, this column is difficult for me to write. Not because it is my first for this magazine, but because it is an official goodbye to a person with whom I have worked closely for many years. She has been more than my boss and coworker. She has been, and will continue to be, a good friend and mentor.

Her retirement will not only be felt by the staff and her coworkers, but throughout the industry. By sharing her wisdom and insight concerning the importance of well-designed, well-maintained and properly administered and secured educational facilities, and emphasizing their affect on the students, teachers, staff and entire community, she has played an important role in improving our schools.

With Deb no longer serving in that very important role, it is the responsibility of those of us who remain to step up and continue that mission. The staff and I assure you that we will do our best to continue to provide quality, informative content in our print and digital publications.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Mesa West Capital Provides Loan to Refinance University of Georgia Residence Complex

    Mesa West Capital recently announced that it has provided a $133.9-million, short-term, first mortgage loan to developer LV Collective (“LV”) to refinance a student housing complex near the University of Georgia, according to a news release. Rambler Athens, a 750-bed residence hall adjacent to the campus, was completed in August 2024.

  • Minnesota District Partners with Kraus-Anderson on Four Construction Projects

    Stillwater Area Schools in Lake Elmo, Minn., recently announced a partnership with Kraus-Anderson for construction projects at four schools in the district, according to a news release. The projects’ funding comes from a $175-million referendum passed in November 2023.

  • Pittsburgh High School Upgrades Athletics Facilities’ Technology

    Plum Senior High School in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently partnered with South-Dakota-based Daktronics through the We’re All Mustangs Here Foundation to upgrade the technology in its athletics facilities, according to a news release. Daktronics designed, built, and installed new LED video displays and finished the project in time for the beginning of the 2025 high-school football season.

  • Texas District Finishes Construction on New Middle School, Admin Building

    The Westwood Independent School District recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Westwood Middle School and Administration Building in Palestine, Texas, according to a news release. The campus covers 106,000 square feet and has the capacity for 650 students in grades 6–8, and it will also play home to the district’s staff and administration.

Digital Edition