The K–12 and higher education facilities landscapes are always evolving. Schools are constantly adapting to technology advances, pedagogy changes, sustainability initiatives, and more.
The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) recently announced its partnership with Avantis Education to bring educational virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) solution ClassVR to its students. A news release reports that the district has already deployed more than 16,000 ClassVR headsets as part of the Los Angeles Unified Instructional Technology Initiative.
Surface solutions provider All Surfaces recently announced that it has hired a new Director of Commercial Business Development in Torie Bonafede. Bonafede will work to build the company’s market presence in various categories and drive strategic initiatives to expand its commercial sales portfolio.
In school districts across America, the start of a new school year is met with optimism and new beginnings. But as the back-to-school excitement wears off, it recedes to the reality that many school facilities are in the same state of infrastructural decline that they’ve faced for years, if not decades, as these facilities deteriorate.
The David Douglas School District in Portland, Ore., recently selected Balfour Beatty company Howard S. Wright to deliver $15.7 million in renovations and repairs across multiple schools and facilities, according to a news release. The district also partnered with BBL Architects for the projects’ designs.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) recently announced a partnership with facility management systems provider Facilitron, according to a news release. MDCPS has about 350,000 students across 400 campuses and is the 19th Florida school district to use Facilitron’s platform.
The Hillbrook School in San José, Calif., recently announced that one of its two adaptive reuse projects on campus is complete, according to a news release. The school partnered with Anderson Brulé Architects and Swenson Development & Construction to convert an armory—built in 1934 and used by the National Guard during World War II—into a new academic space, the Arts & Athletics Center.
DIGroup Architecture recently announced that it has been selected to design a new Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship at Saddle River Day School, a PreK¬–12 school in Saddle River, N.J., according to a news release. The project is part of the larger, schoolwide “Building the Future Campaign,” and its purpose is to promote critical thinking, scientific exploration, and an entrepreneurial spirit within the learning environment.
Wenger Corporation, which provides solutions for performing arts and music education spaces, recently launched a free educational resource guide, “Rigging Guide for Performance Spaces.” The 32-page e-book is available on the company website and provides a background in the technical knowledge required to help administrators and educators make decisions in the planning process.
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) recently released a guide to understanding and using AI in built environments, according to a news release. “Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI” is available to IFMA members through IFMA’s Knowledge Library.
Edgecombe County Public Schools in Edgecombe, N.C., recently announced that it has received government funding to go toward the development of the new North Edgecombe School of Innovation, according to a news release.
General contracting, construction management, and design-build services provider Balfour Beatty recently announced that two of its joint venture teams were selected by the Crowley Independent School District (CISD) in Fort Worth, Texas, for a series of district construction projects.
Fellowes, a worldwide provider of WorkLife needs product solutions, recently announced that it will be a Platinum sponsor of the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program, according to a news release. The program from the Healthy Schools Campaign is intended to help facility professionals improve the educational experience for students and staff through sustainable facility operations and green schools.
The Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) in Milpitas, Calif., recently announced that Phase Two of construction is complete on the MUSD Innovation Campus, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Blach Construction and Quattrocchi Kwok Architects (QKA) on the education and workforce development center, which will support Calaveras Hills High School.
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in Prince William County, Va., recently broke ground on Occoquan Elementary School, according to a news release. The new facility will become the district’s first net-zero school and replace its oldest facility. The school is scheduled to open for the fall 2026 semester.
Minneapolis Public Schools in Minneapolis, Minn., is working with integrated construction management firm Kraus-Anderson on renovations to North High School that include a new Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center, according to a news release. The three major components of the project are new academic and athletic spaces, a new central student commons, and a North CTE Center.
Joliet Public Schools District 86 in Joliet, Ill., recently began construction on two new junior high schools—the district’s first new schools since 2011, according to a news release. New facilities for Hufford Junior High School and Gompers Junior High School will serve the east and west sides of the city and be built next to their current facilities, which will be demolished after the project is complete.
IMETCO recently announced the release of the IntelliWrap PR self-adhering roofing underlayment, which provides a water- and air-tight, vapor-permeable seal for roofing systems. The product was designed for steep slopes (2:12 or more) of standing seam metal, clay tile, slate tile, cedar shingle roofs, and more.
LocknCharge, a developer of mobile phone charging, storing, security, and technology management solutions, recently launched the new FUYL Enhanced Smart Locker System, according to a news release. The app-based kiosk allows self-serve access to devices while also providing full security and control.
Pfluger Architects in Austin, Texas, recently announced that it has appointed business leader Lauren Paver as its new Chief Operating Officer, according to a news release. In her new role, she’ll lead operational strategies for the firm’s five locations and 130 employees in Texas.