Discusses the process and results of one Connecticut community's effort to build a new high school and simultaneously renovate its current high school to an intermediate school. The new school's design, which used traditional materials that is in concert with the surrounding community, is described as is the renovation design and project…

Highlights K-12 school construction projects that have won the Learning By Design Awards for 2001. Projects covered involve new school construction; and renovation, additions, and restoration. (GR)

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…

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…