State policymakers can help public charter schools overcome obstacles to their stability, growth and ability to provide high-quality options to students--simply by providing these schools with access to affordable financing to build their own facilities. Ownership is a critical option to address charter school facility needs. Most charter schools…

A procedure for physical facilities management written 17 years ago is still worth following today. Each of the steps outlined for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluating must be accomplished if school facilities are to be properly planned and constructed. However, lessons have been learned about energy consumption and proper…

A dictate by a fire safety official prompted Ketchikan, Alaska, board members and administrators to plan, design, and construct an appropriate facility for school district maintenance operations. Guidelines are provided. (MLF)

Describes a pilot project in automated storage and retrieval of library materials which uses miniload cranes to retrieve bins of materials, and an interface with an online catalog that patrons use to request materials. Savings in space and money and potential problems with the system are discussed. (CLB)

This checklist outlines the basic steps to be followed from the time of the recognition of the need for a new building until the actual start of construction. (Author/CLB)

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all school programs be accessible. School districts can make informed decisions about what and where to make ADA renovations by consulting with knowledgeable contractors and architects. Experts recommend that districts do what is doable and affordable now. Cites information sources. (MLF)

Four years ago the General Accounting Office told Congress that public school buildings were in bad shape. However, school board members who responded to a survey (294 completed surveys, a 50.8% response rate), while acknowledging some unsatisfactory conditions, a majority (78%) say their school buildings are either better than adequate or…

The document offers guidelines to states regarding review and revision of child care statutes, standards, and policies to address the prevention of child sexual abuse in day care facilities. General information is also provided on changes in state standards in recent years. Each of six sections examines findings of the 1981 Comparative Licensing…

Advice from a Kansas board of education president and an architect on how to balance the elements of good design and procedures with political realities when building new school facilities or renovating old ones. (MLF)

This master plan for Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) was prepared to provide the college with a base document to guide the initial and future development of the campus. The report begins with historical background of the development of the college from the recognition of the need for the college in the 1970's to its creation in 1983. Next, the…

Practical energy-design elements adaptable for schools include building orientation and shape, inclusion of an energy-storage system, window placement, double or triple window glazing, air-curtain windows, and the use of earth berms and trees as wind breaks. (MLF)

This annotated bibliography of recent articles, books, and reports on library facility building and construction includes publications that discuss facility standards and requirements, preservation programs, guides to the building process, facility evaluations, and financial sources. (CLB)

There are many design features that can be used to achieve an energy-efficient building. Described are task lighting, unoccupied space shutoff, onsite well with heat pump, wide-band thermostats, and solar energy. (MLF)

The process of computerizing the classroom includes the following: (1) selection of the architect and engineer; (2) survey of existing premises; (3) solidifying program of usage and design; (4) school board approval and bond vote; and (5) final design and construction. Also discusses electrical system engineering, spatial design, illumination,…

To respond to fluctuations in population, a Maryland school system selected pre-engineered relocatable classroom modules. If school enrollment declines, the classroom modules could be removed, disassembled into halves, and trucked to another site. (MLF)