With the increasing focus on educational facilities, facilities managers are experiencing heightened scrutiny over their roles. This report examines the kinds of questions that school board members, superintendents, and administrators are asking facilities managers and the possible consequences of this new attention, such as more outsourcing. (RJM)

Presents survey data on school maintenance and operations (M & O) budgets that show school districts nationwide are allocating, for the second year in a row, a smaller proportion of their budgets to preserve and run their facilities. M & O comparable cost-data are listed on a per-student and per-building square-footage basis for nine…

Presents survey data on school maintenance and operations (M & O) budgets that show colleges are addressing facilities concerns by increasing M & O funding. M & O comparative-cost data are listed on a per-full-time student and per-building square-footage basis for all colleges, and two- and four-year schools. M & O administrative…

Presents trend data of school districts fund allocation for school maintenance and operations of their facilities across the United States. Data reveal a continuing decline in funding for maintenance and operations of school facilities. (GR)

A recent study developed efficiency indicators (grouped into price, personnel, productivity, and policy categories) as part of an ongoing internal benchmarking process to help six affluent New York school districts manage their facilities maintenance and operations processes. Based on data analysis, the greatest area for potential savings (from…

Assistant Superintendent Steve Kramer explains that the primary objective of privatization in Madeira (Ohio) schools was to create more time for administrators to spend on educational issues. Transportation, food service, and custodial services are run by private companies. (MLF)

Discusses how colleges and universities are scrambling to catch up on deferred maintenance before the backlog becomes overwhelming. The problems, and some solutions, for acquiring repair funding and collecting needs data are addressed. (GR)

Describes how educational institutions are recognizing the short-sightedness of deferred maintenance. Discusses the challenges facing schools as they confront maintenance costs and what they must do to address the problem. Offers advice on proactive stances toward maintenance such as computerized work control processes, maintenance zones, and…

Describes the cost and causes of the school maintenance "crises"; lists seven questions to determine if a school district has a quality maintenance program; describes consequences of deferred school maintenance in Yuma (Arizona) Union High School District. (PKP)

Education administrators always are trying to get better performance from their custodial-services department. When schools use more efficient and cost-effective methods, administrators can focus on more pressing issues and worry less about routine problems. In this article, the author discusses some basics to consider: (1) site safety…

A dictate by a fire safety official prompted Ketchikan, Alaska, board members and administrators to plan, design, and construct an appropriate facility for school district maintenance operations. Guidelines are provided. (MLF)

George Mason University's new Patriot Center arena is built and owned by the university but managed and in part designed by operators of a local sports and entertainment complex. This allows the university to have the arena's benefits without having to learn the business of operating it. (MSE)

Campus construction is projected to boom as colleges and universities catch up on deferred maintenance and replace outdated classrooms and laboratories. Severe problems identified include roofs, heating systems, asbestos removal, and electical systems. (LB)

Training and interpersonal skills can greatly improve school maintenance and food service operations. Innovative examples include an energy management program and a food service "focus on success" action plan. (MLF)

Deferred maintenance is reaching crisis proportion on many campuses. An overview of this priority for governing boards and a look at how trustees should be involved is presented in an interview of Harvey Kaiser, vice president for facilities administration at Syracuse University. (Author/MLW)