The chapters in this book address a range of issues of interest to school directors, teachers, and parents and are intended to promote discussion about educational alternatives. A basic premise is that in the not-too-distant future, education will be provided where and when students and their parents can best access it, with educational venues and…

This report examines the history of California school construction financing and its past pitfalls, highlights the problems with pre-existing programs, and explores the history of bond initiatives during the past 5 decades. It begins by examining the State Allocation Board and its staff (the Office of Public School Construction) and reviewing the…

Lease-purchase finance is a viable alternative for school districts that cannot or do not want to employ traditional financing techniques. Outlines the advantages and disadvantages of lease-purchase financing compared to outright purchase; operating leasing, which is taxable; and traditional tax-exempt bond financing. (MLF)

Presents a series of articles that examine decision making in school construction and renovation projects. Topics include preparing for a construction project, purchasing windows that provide protection at a reasonable cost, choosing the best flooring and carpeting, and dealing with deregulation. An industry roundtable discussion on project…

The building program of a school district is one of the most important activities in which a school board of education, local administration, faculty, and citizens can become involved. The building program requires large sums of money and has a direct bearing on both the quantity and quality of the educational program. This guidebook provides…

The school district of Greenville County, South Carolina, needed two new schools, yet had reached the legal limit of its borrowing capacity. By financing the project through the contractor, financing costs were offset by savings from building the schools a year earlier than would otherwise have been possible. (MLF)

This document provides technical assistance in addressing major areas of the child care facility construction and renovation process, including conducting a child care community needs assessment, identifying a site, financing costs, developing a business plan, conducting an environmental assessment, building and designing a facility, and hiring…

Presents discussions on the top 10 issues facing colleges and universities in 1998 and beyond. Issues include the impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act, new construction and renovation in response to facility demands, facility maintenance within tightening budgets, energy costs, school funding needs in the face of rising enrollment,…

Costs that may increase the original school construction estimates include school-design inefficiency, architect fees, and costs for land, site development, technology, demolition, consultants, and security. A quality-review team can plan to avoid hidden costs and ensure that the new facility will meet instructional needs at the least possible…

In July 1987, North Carolina enacted legislation to provide funds for public school construction. This document defines and describes the educational spaces needed to support a comprehensive educational program and to set minimal standards for types of spaces and for sizes of spaces. Standards, comments, and recommendations are provided for the…

This publication provides instructions and visual diagrams both for adapting existing structures and for building new facilities to meet the special needs of the disabled. Each of the two main sections is divided into two parts: "The Site" and "The Building." The first section, "Modification of Existing Schools,"…

Six City Technology Colleges (CTCs) were all site selected, built, and opened in under 2 years without being compromised by expense or loss of quality. This document examines this "fast-track" method of building projects using case studies of each school that illustrate the CTC concept and process. The CTC initiative is described…

England's Department for Education and Employment provides construction standards with regard to access to school buildings for people with disabilities. This bulletin gives supplementary nonstatutory guidance for school governors and commissioning bodies, seeking to promote a general understanding of the issues and providing guidelines for the…

The question of legal responsibility for state participation in school building costs has never been completely answered. Reviews court decisions and offers recommendations to those involved in educational facilities. (MLF)

Examines building-cost trend data for educational facilities from the American School & University's 24th annual Official Education Construction Report for 1997. Data tables list education construction by projects completed; by projected spending; institution type; type of spending; projects projected for completion; and how construction costs…