Presents responses from Matt McGovern, "School Planning and Management's" Maintenance and Operations columnist, on the issue of school facility maintenance. McGovern does not believe schools will ever likely meet acceptable levels of maintenance, nor use infrared thermography for assessing roofs, outsource all maintenance work, nor find…

Discusses how to avoid costly mistakes when buying facility-management software. Provides answers to questions buyers should ask before committing funds to a particular program. Selected facility-management software companies and product profiles are highlighted. (GR)

The director of facilities at a prestigious 75-year-old Delaware school located an easy-to-implement software program to computerize the schools's physical-plant system. The right software helps facilities managers oversee schools' physical plants, including budgeting and maintenance. (MLF)

A Dayton (Ohio) community college's 21 buildings were cooled by a network of 5 chillers, all of which used soon-to-be-banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). A reclamation program provides the college with reusable refrigerant and eliminates chiller replacement costs. Refrigerant from three of the old units is stockpiled for use in the two other…

Argues, in an interview with Sherree Speakman of Fox River Learning, that data-management techniques can improve teaching and learning in schools. Speakman discusses adapting business management to fit educational models, data-driven decision making, the kind of data needed for improving school effectiveness and where to get it, and the use of…

Three school officials explain why their districts recognize that facilities management requires district-level oversight by trained personnel. Beyond maintenance and construction, facilities managers serve as district experts on risk management and student safety. (MLF)

Presents predictions from experts, consultants, and educators on the future of public education and how that could affect school-facilities management. Topics cover school security and crisis management, school management and accountability in response to the increasing competition for students, and technology integration into the classroom. (GR)