Environmentally preferable products, sustainability, "green," reducing environmental footprint--have all become part of the everyday lexicon as schools, businesses, households, and the public sector have increasingly focused on strategies and tactics designed to reduce their impact on the environment and human health. State governments…

The ailing economy has spared few schools and universities. Faced with funding cutbacks, most education administrators have had to make difficult choices about where to allocate dwindling resources. Even in the best of financial times, educating students is the first priority. When money is tight, school maintenance and operations (M&O)…

During the 2002-03 fiscal crisis in Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney proposed sweeping changes for public colleges in the state. Among them was a proposal to privatize three highly specialized colleges, including the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), the nation's only independent public college of art and design. The rationale was…

Addressing ongoing and costly deferred-maintenance needs is a challenge for any two- or four-year school. During an economically challenging time, many HBCUs have put energy efficiency and other green projects on the back burner. However, some are finding that deferred maintenance does not have to be a barrier to becoming green. Despite budget…

This document is a simple 34-category checklist to be used by technicians conducting maintenance surveys. Categories includes: roadways & parking lots; site appearance; site utilities; exterior appearance; playground equipment; exterior structural conditions; gutters and downspouts; windows and caulking; sidewalks; entryways and exit doors;…

Proper maintenance is necessary for all public school facilities. In Maryland, both the Board of Public Works and the Interagency Committee on Public School Construction (IAC) work to improve public school maintenance. Since 1980 the IAC has conducted a survey of selected Maryland schools to assess the quality of local maintenance programs in 106…

The State of Maryland has published this guide that provides State and local personnel, architects, and governmental officials with the method of operation and administration of the State's Public School Construction Program. The material is arranged in sequential order and follows a project from inception through design, construction, and…

Maryland provides funds for systemic renovation projects that are infrastructure improvements in public schools. State funds are provided on a sliding scale based on the age of the system being replaced and the wealth of the school district. (MLF)

The Maryland Board for Higher Education's consolidated capital and operating budget for fiscal year 1985 for higher education institutions and agencies is presented. Recommendations of the Board are summarized, and the status of higher education funding is briefly discussed. Methods of funding institutional budget requests for the capital and…