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Public comment period open for the 2026 Ohio School Design Manual
Ohio—JANUARY 21, 2026
Feedback period open for shaping high-quality and effective school facilities
The Ohio School Design MORE
Chollas Mead Elementary plans outdoor classroom to expand innovative school garden program
California—JANUARY 16, 2026

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A school garden at Chollas Mead Elementary is transforming into something MORE
Murray finalizes plans for new multimillion-dollar elementary school project
Kentucky—JANUARY 14, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — In Murray, Kentucky, construction will soon begin on a new elementary school that MORE
PWCS Presents Proposed 2027-31 Capital Improvement Program to School Board
Virginia—JANUARY 14, 2026
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) presented the proposed 2027–31 Capital Improvement Program MORE
GDOE audit cites safety, security concerns
Guam—JANUARY 13, 2026
The Pacific Policy Research Center's audit of management and curriculum at the Guam Department of MORE
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Greening Schools

Schools can help improve the quality of the environment for children and at the same time contribute to better environmental conditions for the community.

Many schools across the nation are recognizing the long term cost savings and environmental benefits of implementing green school initiatives. It is not unusual for teachers to incorporate the "green" school building within their curriculum, creating a hands-on environmental lesson for students.

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award program offers examples of effective green school practices. 

This innovative practice area is under development. 

 Innovative Examples 
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11 minute tutorial on capital improvement planning
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 11 minute tutorial video describing the importance and value of a capital plan in the process of setting priorities and fairly and efficiently allocating scarce capital resources. 

https://youtu.be/fNkpFnfdDpo

Moderator: Joseph da Silva, Ph.D., 2017 President, National Council on School Facilities. School Construction Coordinator at the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

7 minute tutorial on educational specifications
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 7 minute tutorial video describing the importance and value of basing K–12 facilities design and construction on educational specifications (ed specs) developed through a well-designed process of identifying end‐user requirements and engaging stakeholders. She outlines the contents of educational specifications and how to develop them.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

7 minute tutorial on essential K-12 school district facilities plans
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 7 minute tutorial video describing the five facilities plans that every district should develop and maintain on a regular basis, including: the educational facilities master plan, capital plan, maintenance plan, energy & environmental plan, and safety & emergency operations plan.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2J9NK_3lcw&t=4s&ab_channel=21stCenturySchoolFund  

Moderator: Carl Thurnau, P.E., 2015 President, National Council on School Facilities and Director of Facilities Planning, New York State Education Department.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

7 minute tutorial on K-12 safety & emergency-operations planning
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 7 minute tutorial video describing the importance and value of a K-12 school district safety & emergency operations plan and outlines best practices in developing a plan.

https://youtu.be/zoc0dtnjGlA

Moderator: Gary Schwartz, Ed.D., 2015 Treasurer, National Council on School Facilities. School-Facilities Consultant at the Iowa Department of Education.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

8 minute tutorial on Energy & Environmental Management planning
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 8-minute tutorial video describing the importance and value of a K-12 school district energy- & environmental‐management plan in managing costs through available efficiencies and providing safe and healthy environments for students and staff. 

https://youtu.be/sRIUo42vmYo

Moderator: Robert Gorrell, 2013 President, National Council on School Facilities.  Director of the New Mexico Public School Facilities Authority.  

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

8 minute tutorial on school facilities maintenance planning
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 8 minute tutorial video on the importance and value of a district‐wide facilities maintenance plan and outlines best practices in developing a plan for routine and preventive maintenance.

https://youtu.be/F-kdWwAJy3Q

Moderator: Mike Rowland, 2016 President, National Council on School Facilities. Director of Facilities Services, Georgia Department of Education.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

9 minute tutorial on creating a educational facilities master plan
-- National : Organization: 21st Century School Fund and National Council on School Facilities [ abstract]

A 9-minute tutorial video describing the importance and value of a K-12 school district facilities master plan including  best practices in creating such a plan, and research and stakeholder engagement.

https://youtu.be/2nyS4RpUYdg 

Moderator: Kathleen Moore, 2014 President, National Council on School Facilities. Director of the School Facilities and Transportation Services Division at the California Department of Education.

Tags & Topics: District Educational Facilities Master Planning

Educational Facilities Master Planning
-- District of Columbia : Organization: 21st Century School Fund, Washington, DC [ abstract]

Educational facilities master planning is a school district’s roadmap for responsible stewardship of buildings and grounds. It maps a course from current facilities conditions to desired facilities conditions. It describes how facilities improvements are done over a defined period of time for an estimated budget.


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