Are your district’s facilities making the grade?

Evolving facilities management best practices

In today’s world, keeping students healthy and safe seems more complicated than ever— especially for the facility management (FM) teams who keep your school’s building systems running. Given that students in well-maintained school buildings perform nearly 20% better than their counterparts in sub-standard schools, according to the 2021 State of Our School Report, the quality of a school’s FM practices is a critical factor in students’ academic success.

From buildings and grounds to HVAC and lighting, FM best practices for K-12 schools have evolved to include technical expertise, technology, data and predictive analytics. Modern, integrated FM protocols keep equipment operating smoothly; create clean, comfortable, safe and healthy classrooms; support sustainable operations, and reduce capital and operating expenses.

Are your district’s FM operations aligned with today’s leading approaches? Many educational leaders acknowledge that they aren’t sure and don’t know where to start. Below is a checklist to help you quickly evaluate where your district stands. For a deeper dive, download the questionnaire below: 11 questions to ask about your K-12 district facilities.

Buildings & Grounds

• Roof is in good condition, e.g., no leaks or clogged drains
• Pathways and entry points are safe, secure and accessible
• Grounds are attractive, with healthy greenery and flowers
• Groundskeeping uses native plants to help conserve supplies and water
• School infrastructure supports evolving learning modes, along with energy efficiency and environmental sustainability

Custodial Care

• Schools are cleaned to meet all industry standards, protocols, codes and regulations
• Cleaning methods are eco-conscious and sustainable
• Waste management systems include recycling and composting

Maintenance

• Equipment generally works efficiently with few breakdowns
• Replacement parts, repairs and tune-ups are expected and budgeted
• Indoor air quality (IAQ) is measured and meets or exceeds standards
• HVAC system is in good working condition, e.g., clean filters, boilers at correct temperature 
• Lighting systems and HVAC are energy-efficient and contribute to cost savings
• Work-order system is efficient and tracks labor usage transparently

Budget Concerns

• Data is captured and analyzed to help prioritize immediate and long-term maintenance needs
• District receives the most competitive rates from vendors and utility suppliers
• Strategic budgeting decisions and project priorities are based on data-driven facilities condition assessments (FCA)
• Data is available to support bond requests, levies and/or referenda

Maybe you were able to check off many items—or maybe you are only certain about a few. Whether you are bogged down by deferred maintenance, lack the details to draw conclusions, or seek funds to update and upgrade your district, our comprehensive questionnaire will help you complete more checkmarks. Fill out the form below to download the questionnaire.

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