Presents expert opinion on school construction management communication concerning educational needs, obtaining consensus among diverse groups, and envisioning what schools must offer in the future. Why furniture issues are also important is highlighted. (GR)

Examines how clear planning for designing and building facilities can help schools avoid unforeseen costs and complications. Planning tips for design planning, bidding methods, and construction are addressed. (GR)

Discusses how budget modeling and early cost estimating can help schools control spending on construction projects. Elements involved in estimating the costs of a project are listed, and the unique characteristics that need to be considered when estimating costs for educational construction are highlighted. (GR)

Discusses how subsurface analysis can take the guesswork out of a building project and can save time and money. The basics of subsurface exploration are explained. (GR)

Discusses the increasing use of construction and project managers in school construction projects and the benefits that can be realized from the expertise and experience they bring. The fees they charge, including the recent innovation of satisfaction fees, are explained. (GR)

Discusses the planning process for building a liberal arts facility including the identification of design requirements and priority setting for each department. Construction scheduling and project statistics are provided. (GR)

Many districts are using portables as relatively permanent installations. Although permanent buildings are more expensive to construct, their operating cost is only $1.30 per square foot, compared to $5 for portables. The overall cost of using portable classrooms to solve long-term problems eventually surpasses costs of building permanent…

Explains the difference between construction manager (CM) and construction manager at-risk and explores management versus delivery aspects of both. Concluding comments address why the a decision on CM vs. CM at-risk is not an either/or process. (GR)

Discusses the selection process when using outside professionals for school construction projects. The drawbacks of using competitive bidding for professional services are highlighted followed by tips on using a qualifications-based selection method that includes work-experience evaluation and conducting interviews for professional services. (GR)

This paper is Part 2 of a three-part series examining the boom in the construction and renovation of K-12 schools and the continuing challenges that communities face in getting the facilities their students and educators need. With affordable land for new schools becoming scarce, urban and suburban districts are finding new ways to play the real…

In this testimony, Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert talks on behalf of the National Indian Education Association with regard to the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and challenges facing BIE schools in improving student achievement. Founded in 1969, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is the largest organization in the nation dedicated…

At its April 25, 2008 meeting, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) approved the funding models for the two-year colleges, the universities, and the technical centers. These models had been developed in conjunction with the presidents and chancellors after numerous meetings and revisions. The funding models were used to develop…

The U.S. Department of Energy's Rebuild America EnergySmart Schools program provides school boards, administrators, and design staff with guidance to help make informed decisions about energy and environmental issues important to school systems and communities. "The National Best Practices Manual for Building High Performance Schools" is a part of…

School construction completed in 2006 totaled just more than $20 billion, a drop of seven percent from the record $21.6 billion put in place in 2005. Even so, it was the sixth year in the last seven that annual construction exceeded $20 billion. During the seven years of the present century, school districts have completed construction projects…

Going through the building process could take up to five years--five of the toughest and most satisfying years of an administrator's career. In going through this process, one can learn a great deal about the community and staff involved, and about onself. But even when the building project is completed, there is still work to be done: now is the…