Presents practical solutions to school indoor-air-quality problems. Areas where school administrators should set IAQ goals and provide resources are listed, and tips for HVAC maintenance and cleaning to reduce air pollutants are provided. (GR)

Discusses the ways equipment innovations can help schools clean more effectively and improve staff performance. Provides advice on cleaning strategies and types of equipment used for different areas, including tips for buying vacuum cleaners that fit the school's needs and conserve budgets. (GR)

Discusses six steps in integrating grounds maintenance into the master planning process which can lower maintenance costs while creating a beautiful campus. Areas addressed include quantifying maintenance tasks, developing standards and specifications for each task, developing work schedules, and monitoring performance. (GR)

Discusses the problems school construction projects face during building and maintenance efforts over the summer. Issues involving planning, the use of teamwork, community concerns, child safety, and surprises that cannot be thoroughly accounted for in the pre- construction phase are addressed. (GR)

Describes how keeping carpets in good condition depends not only on proper maintenance but also on careful carpet selection at the outset. Offers advice for restoring a carpet's new appearance through vacuuming and hot-water extraction and suggests ways to manage spots and stains. (RJM)

Comments on how schools can take advantage of summer vacations to tackle construction and renovation projects. Issues such as keeping the community informed about the summer construction schedule, guaranteeing student safety, creating teamwork, and anticipating potential surprises are discussed. (GR)

Discusses why Indiana University finds using separate maintenance management, geographic information, and computer-assisted design and facilities management systems is more practical than integrating all three into one package. The central features of the system are discussed. (GR)

Offers strategies to make schools' cleaning operations run more smoothly. Discusses how to estimate the amount of space that needs cleaning and how long it should take, the benefits of team cleaning versus zone cleaning, and the importance of monitoring complaints and overtime to ensure staff is performing efficiently. (EV)

Examines built-up, modified bitumen, and hybrid combinations of the two roofing systems and offers advise on how to assure high- quality performance and durability when using them. Included is a glossary of commercial roofing terms and asphalt roofing resources to aid in making decisions on roofing and systems product selection. (GR)

Discusses techniques to help create clean and inviting school locker rooms. Daily, weekly or monthly, biannual, and annual cleaning strategies for locker room showers are highlighted as are the specialized maintenance needs for aerobic and dance areas, running tracks, and weight training areas. (GR)

Discusses how today's classrooms and other campus buildings are driving the need to consider the requirements of maintenance personnel when designing new facilities. Issues such as planning for adequate staff and equipment, low- versus high-maintenance areas, and short-term cost versus long-term durability are addressed. (GR)

Explores the challenges facing college and university residence hall facility managers and how different schools address these issues in diverse ways. Ongoing concerns involving funding needs and maintenance are examined followed by discussions on the new challenges in managing student life, health, and safety. Concluding comments reveal where…

Each month "American School & University" provides a mix of thought-provoking features, how-to-articles, industry reports, exclusive surveys, new sections, insightful columns, new product introductions and case histories to assist education officials in better performing their jobs. This June 2004 issue includes the following:…

Spending by school districts on maintenance and operations increased in 2006-2007, reversing years of historic low expenditures. According to "American School & University's" 36th annual Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Cost Study, the median school district spends 9.19% of total district expenditures (TDE) on M&O, up from 7.58% the year before.…