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Upgrades Put Technology in the Hands of Students

When it comes to technology in school districts across the country, not all things are equal. This lack of equality is frustrating to administrators and teachers who embrace the use of technology in the classroom — all they can do is wait for upgrade

Investing for the Future: FY 2012 Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Request

Given the nation's current budget deficit, President Obama released on February 14, 2011 his proposed budget for fiscal year 2012. For some sectors, the comment has been that this is no Valentine! But for the education sector, it indicated an overall

Investing in Our Students, Teachers, and Institutions: The Proposed FY 2012 Postsecondary Education Budget

Under very tight budget constraints, President Obama released on February 14, 2011 his proposed budget for fiscal year 2012. The programs within the U.S Department of Education fared well, including some new investments for postsecondary education.

In Case of Emergency…

In the world of great unknowns one thing is certain; emergencies, natural or man-made, happen. Along with them comes a rapid fire series of questions: Is it best to evacuate or shelter-in-place? How is traffic managed while quickly getting students and st

Educational Specifications

What does it take to create school facilities now, that can handle challenges in the 21st century? What will students and staff be doing in 2030 that is different from today, and how will the community be involved? How do you create facilities that will a

Déjà Vu

As I sit watching the news I hear about international competition, our students falling behind, the need to upgrade our math and science programs, school consolidations and workforce development. Call it déjà vu (or maybe old age), but I rem

Working With ResLife and Other Auxiliaries

Change is needed in the way O&M work is performed at campus auxiliary functions. Having had the opportunity to visit several dozen campuses in recent years, I have seen various models of how O&M needs are satisfied on assets assigned to auxiliary

The Science of Collaboration

Time was, science laboratories had few windows and little natural light. The benches were built into the structure. Uncomfortable stools provided seating. Offices were on other floors or even in other buildings. But scientists have changed.

Last but Not Least

To make sure that your dynamic facility program is reflected through dynamic furniture, it's important to have user-driven selections. Involving your architect can add value this process through their understanding of the facility design and construc

New Year, New Program?

The new year has started, and for most of us that means our school district has completed about half of the academic year. Now, the task turns to looking forward to projects that will be designed and implemented during the summer recess. This is also a go

Show Me the Way

Campus signage programs have come a long way from the simple signs used in years past to identify individual buildings or areas within a campus. Developing the most efficient and cost-effective program, especially when multiple campuses are involved, requ

Community-Based Facility Planning

If your board room, auditorium, gymnasium or other space has ever been the scene of public protest over an educational facility construction project, or if you have worked tirelessly to pass a referendum only to have it voted down, you can count yourself

Outlook for Education in 2011

In 2011, we are likely to see a loss of non-essential services and aggressive streamlining of others; a greater emphasis on group purchasing and outsourcing; school closures and consolidation; increases in tuition and fees; a reduction in the number of cr

Safe Learning and Play

Students are exposed to unsafe situations because of existing hazardous conditions and lack of maintained equipment and facilities. Despite school-conducted safety inspections, many outdoor environments contain playground equipment and open space that is

The Next Step

The world of higher education keeps changing and College Planning & Management is there to take note. What will 2011 bring to the campus? Our panel of experts looks into their crystal ball for answers.

Take A Better Look

College and university security directors are taking up four relatively new video technologies to enhance security: Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, intelligent video technology, megapixel cameras, and integrated door alarm and card access control systems

Totally Tubular Lighting

TDDs, like skylights, provide top light to balance light from exterior wall windows, reduce glare and help provide a natural lighting boost that minimizes the use of electric lights. One manufacturer, Carlisle, calls TDDs "an ideal energy-saving solu

Review Course on Video Surveillance

The use of video surveillance cameras in K-12 school has made great strides since the Columbine massacre. Today's systems use computer networks to install more cameras and to monitor them from anywhere. They use megapixel cameras to record more detai

Salt Lake City School District Earns Nation's Top Honor for IPM

Since 2005, the Salt Lake City School District has been implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), drastically reducing both pest problems and pesticide use. Last month, the district passed a rigorous 37-point inspection of its program, earning IPM ST

Mobile Technology for the Classroom

There's a new K-12 education tool in town. This tool fits in the palm of students' hands, so it's highly mobile. It easily slips into students' blue jeans pockets, so it isn't obvious pickings for would-be thieves. The classroom u

Looking Forward

If you could look into a crystal ball to see what may come to pass in regard to education, this year's vision, more than any in the recent history, would probably be the most clouded, considering the change in government, the slow recovery of the eco

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