With the help of close to $30 million in grant monies from Career Technical Education (CTE) and Overcrowding Relief grants, and Joint-Use and High Performance grants, Lake Tahoe Unified School District and architect LPA, Inc., have already completed a CTE "Green" Construction and Transportation Academy, a new classroom building and the…

Involve students in the design and construction stages of new schools?--"Are you serious?" "Leave it to the experts", "We don't have time--the programme is very tight", "What do they know?", "They'll get in the way!", "It's not our job!" are still responses from some involved with design…

The intersection of technology and the 21st Century learner has challenged many school districts to rethink their approach to the design of school facilities and the definition of "classroom." To strategically plan for the future, districts must not only consider facilities and curriculum, but understand a process of change that is…

On February 17, 2009, in the midst of economic turmoil and one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). This law is intended to: (1) promote job preservation and creation; (2) invest in infrastructure projects; (3) increase economic efficiency;…

The tax credit portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (also known as the economic stimulus package or ARRA) has three different entities that can be used for various school construction including new, modernization, renovation and acquisition of sites for school projects. The bond rule notice and allocations have been issued…

Every building, from the smallest school to the tallest skyscraper, uses energy. This energy is most often generated by burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and contributes to climate change. Existing commercial buildings offer a significant opportunity for low-cost, immediate emissions and energy cost…

The Samuel Brighouse Elementary School, located in Richmond, BC, a city adjacent to Vancouver on the west coast of Canada, is a five-hundred student elementary school. When completed in September 2011, it will replace an existing older school on the same site. This project was identified early on as an opportunity for the Richmond School Board to…

Discusses what job order contracting (JOC) for facilities managers is and its advantages and disadvantages. Also discusses the Center for Job Order Contracting Excellence, the impact of the "low-bid" award process, the benefits of JOC's use of multiple on-site contractors, and utilization of performance-based procurement and performance…

Lists in outline form 12 steps that ensure success of a construction program. (MLF)

Presents the author's observations in Honduras, their need for better educational facilities, and the involvement of the Council of Educational Facility Planners, International's efforts in building a new school in one rural village. Each phase from planning to dedication is discussed. Concluding comments address the future of continued facility…

Reveals how one Chicago school district was able to build a new elementary school a full two and one-half years before a traditional funding process would have allowed it. Examines a planning process that included using the Council of Educational Facility Planners, International guidelines for developing a business plan, partnering with needed…

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)

Examines the influence of the wave of immigration on the development of the Israeli education system, i.e., the relationship between the number of housing units completed and the number of additional students entering the education system following construction. It reveals no immediate correlation between completion of construction of new…

Summarizes policies practiced in each state for financing school construction. (MLF)

Examines school construction management (CM), the extent of its use in Indiana school corporations and the fees that are charged for these services. Results suggest a lack of consistency in deciding whether to use CM and the amount of the fee to be paid for the service. (GR)