Day care directors who wish to create a good first impression for parents may wish to consider the appearance of the exterior of their building, the reception area, general health and safety of the center, personnel, center vans, and telephone etiquette. (RJC)

School districts are being overcharged by allowing closed roof specifications written by a single manufacturer of roofing materials. Cites examples from two Michigan school districts. Advises school districts how to choose a roofing consultant. (MLF)

Hiring private contractors to manage school support services, such as food, maintenance, and busing, is a growing trend. Companies such as Marriott Corp., ServiceMaster, ARA Services, and Laidlaw Transit report that school business is steadily increasing. Unions staunchly oppose privatization. This article balances advantages and disadvantages,…

In Illinois, the combination of aging structures, local taxpayer resistance to increased property taxes, and increased costs have all affected local school infrastructure feasibility. Proposes four steps districts should be required to take to meet their fiduciary responsibilities. (eight references) (MLF)

Discusses how a recent New York State Supreme Court decision ordering the repair of all facilities within the New York City School system could have far-reaching implications for other districts. The school system's history of school building neglect that prompted the Court's decision and the decision's effect are examined as are similar…

Discusses how architects and school districts can learn from the past to avoid repeating costly mistakes. Addressed are architectural fees and the importance of not severely reducing time and cost spent in design to help ensure better facility performance later. (GR)

Describes how a roof maintenance program will ensure that schools enjoy optimum protection for occupants and property. Discusses how to set up a plan, which includes annual inspections; inventory and documentation, such as recording warranty numbers; and implementing maintenance/repair plans. Offers suggestions for finding a roof consultant. (RJM)

Discusses how creative planning can help schools to keep washroom traffic moving, deter vandalism, and reduce maintenance. (EV)

Presents survey data from college and university business officers on the growing popularity of outsourcing traditional in-house services. Overviews are presented on outsourcing operations and maintenance (O/M) and planning and construction (P/C). Regional analyses by region, type, size, and role of O/M and P/C services outsourcing are provided.…

The capital renewal and replacement of the nation's public higher education facilities has been a growing problem for several decades. While the need for new and improved facilities has increased over the years, many campuses simply have too many aging infrastructures that are too costly to replace. This, at a time when we have less than …

Public or private, K-12, college or university, no one knows their facilities better than school maintenance and operations staff--from the front-line custodians to facility managers. When it comes to planning restrooms for new construction and renovation, operational experience is especially critical. Applying best practices in advance can save…

As China undertakes substantial planned educational growth, the challenges of university physical plant administration include adaptation of space utilization analysis and planning techniques, improved economies of scale, increased dependence on community support for housing and other services, increased efficiency in construction, more preventive…

Outlines the cost-saving decisions made by an Oregon school district as it faced a decreasing student population over the past 10 years. The district developed a resource management system that involved all levels of management, including the school board. (MD)

By using an energy audit, the Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 (Colorado) identified fuel-consuming areas in its schools and reduced the annual increases for fuel from 25 to 5 percent. Six steps to energy savings will work for other districts as well. (JW)

An interview with the director of buildings and grounds for the Massapequa (New York) Public Schools, Emanual (Manny) Calligeros, reveals a new kind of physical plant administrator who can organize a maintenance and operations budget, evaluate and train personnel, analyze energy use, and negotiate contracts. (Author/MLF)