Successful school construction projects require careful planning. School boards and administrators should consider architectural firms and contracts carefully. Reduce costs by hiring subcontractors, requiring documentation for proposed changes, negotiating frequent site visits by architect, organizing board subcommittee to review work, and…

Reveals how one Chicago school district was able to build a new elementary school a full two and one-half years before a traditional funding process would have allowed it. Examines a planning process that included using the Council of Educational Facility Planners, International guidelines for developing a business plan, partnering with needed…

Characteristics of construction management (CM), general contracting, and design/build contracting are defined. CM is shown to be a cost-effective alternative to the other project delivery systems. Explains the four forms of CM and provides guidelines for selecting and rating a CM firm. (MLF)

The Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system has created a procedure for guiding the architectural design and construction of elementary school buildings that document staff representatives can use when reviewing drawings and specifications for the facility. The document is divided into three sections: the first lists the type of spaces and…

Describes seven steps to consider when making project-delivery decisions that include defining the school district's goals and profile, selecting the project-delivery system and procurement method, selecting the project team and contract type, and developing and confirming the facility program. Concluding comments address the district review of…

School planning is a critical process in melding a school with its educational programs in order to facilitate the efficient operation of these programs, and the administrative planner is central to the success of this process. This publication assists the planner in identifying the people and organizations that should become involved in the…

This manual provides information to help charter schools navigate the facility development process, including worksheets that can be customized to suit a particular school's needs. Sections cover how facility planning fits into business planning for charter schools, review a process for assessing a school's facility needs, and summarize how to…

The California Department of Education, directed to formalize regulations governing standards for new school design and construction, has prepared a guide to help school districts develop specifications based on the architectural principle that form follows function. This guide discusses the meaning of educational specifications and their…

Discusses using consumer-focused techniques in school construction and renovation. Explains the idea of allowing community stakeholders to direct the design of a school, its value in design development for both the school and the community, and how this cooperation can inspire architects and designers. (GR)

This manual contains current legal requirements and information on school building construction and inspection in the state of Utah. Major topics include facilities long-range planning; the role and responsibilities of the School District Building Official; school site issues such as size and location, impact, and acquisition and development; as…

The Georgia Department of Education has developed submittal requirements for planning and construction of educational facilities that cover such areas as project funding sources, copies required, and format; site plan; floor plans; elevations and sections; and heating, air conditioning, and ventilation requirements. Requirements also focus on…

The National Science Teachers Association, in response to the emergence of new science curricula and the need for updated science facilities in the nation's public schools, convened a task force to develop guidelines for K-12 science facility design and use. This guide, a result of NSTA Task Force on Science Facilities and Equipment, includes…

This book presents New York State planning standards for school buildings. The standards offer advice and counsel to school districts, architects, and engineers to help them resolve their school building problems while considering educational and planning efficiency, conservation of natural resources, and initial and long-range economy within the…

This book discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the two most common construction planning methods utilized for educational facilities: general contracting and construction management. Diagrams are provided that illustrate the chain of command and communication within each approach, and highlight considerations that every school district…

The forces of democratization of centralized governments and institutions and the pursuit of companies to deliver customer-defined quality in their goods and services requires better schools to achieve its goals. This book provides a plan for using a democratic and quality-driven process to build high-quality schools, i.e., applying private-sector…