As a K-12 school facilities director, your role in ensuring that school buildings remain safe, functional, and conducive to learning is critical. Balancing day-to-day maintenance with long-term construction planning often presents challenges, especially when it comes to securing funding for major renovations or improvements. Many districts rely on referendums to address their most significant infrastructure needs, but the truth is, not all maintenance should be deferred to a public vote. Some projects should be handled within the district’s capital budget, allowing for proactive maintenance that preserves the quality and longevity of school buildings. This approach illustrates to your community that your school district is committed to responsible budgeting practices and responsible use of taxpayer dollars and builds trust within the wider community for when greater needs arise, and a referendum is truly needed.
Below our experts at Hunzinger will address best practices for facilities management, including how to distinguish between projects that belong in a referendum and those that should be planned for in a capital budget. We’ll also provide insights from industry experts on designing school buildings for the future and share strategies that have proven successful for school construction and renovation projects.
Capital Budgets and Preventative Maintenance: Why You Shouldn’t Wait for a Referendum
School facilities require ongoing maintenance, especially when it comes to critical elements like roofs, tuckpointing, and exterior work. Unfortunately, many districts delay these necessary repairs, relying on the next referendum to provide the funds. Incorporating regular exterior maintenance, such as tuckpointing and roof repairs or replacements, into your capital budget can extend the lifespan of your facilities and save money over time.
“Facilities are the backbone of a safe and effective learning environment. Prioritizing maintenance projects in your capital budget ensures you stay ahead of larger structural issues while protecting the district’s long-term investment in its infrastructure.” – Says, Dan Cole, VP of Preconstruction at Hunzinger Construction Company.
When to Include Projects in a Referendum
Not all maintenance can or should be handled within a district’s capital budget. Larger projects such as the addition of new wings, gymnasiums, or other significant expansions are prime candidates for referendums. These projects often require substantial community support and involve significant costs that go beyond routine maintenance.
Here’s a breakdown of when to place a project in a referendum vs. the capital budget:
- Referendum: Major new construction, building additions, major HVAC upgrades, large-scale energy efficiency projects.
- Capital Budget: Roof repairs/replacements, tuckpointing, regular HVAC maintenance, minor facility updates.
Balancing these two funding sources can help your district avoid costly emergency repairs and ensure that long-term infrastructure needs are met without straining your budget.
Designing for for the Future: Architectural Insights
When embarking on a new school construction or renovation project, it’s important to ask your architectural partners about how they’re designing for the future. Educational spaces need to be adaptable to changing technologies, learning styles, and student needs. Incorporating flexible spaces that can evolve with the curriculum is key to ensuring that today’s construction projects won’t become obsolete in a decade.
The future of school design should be focused on flexibility. Classrooms should be designed with movable walls, collaborative learning spaces, and a focus on technology that meets teachers’ current and future needs. Schools should also prioritize energy efficiency and sustainable materials to reduce long-term operational costs.
By working closely with your architects and construction teams, you can ensure that new projects meet the needs of both current and future students.
Winning Strategies for School Construction
- Involve the Community Early: Engaging with parents, staff, and community members from the beginning builds trust and transparency. Community forums, surveys, and open houses can give stakeholders a sense of ownership in the project, increasing the likelihood of passing a referendum. Actively listen to the needs and concerns of all the parties and use those needs and concerns to make decisions regarding the scope and direction of the project. Continuing to engage the public throughout the project and upon completion can help build positive momentum when it is time for the next referendum.
- Plan for Flexibility: As mentioned, schools should be designed with the future in mind. Classrooms that can adapt to different teaching methods and technologies ensure that the space can serve students for decades to come.
- Prioritize Energy Efficiency: Green building designs not only reduce operational costs but also demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Many districts have found success in securing grants and funding for energy-efficient upgrades, which can reduce the overall cost of new construction.
- Long-Term Planning: Establish a 5-10 year facilities plan that clearly outlines when maintenance will be needed and how often major renovations should occur. This helps ensure that the district stays ahead of issues and can plan financially for them.
As a facilities director, your role in balancing short-term maintenance needs with long-term construction projects is essential to the health and longevity of your school buildings. By incorporating routine maintenance into your capital budget, engaging with trusted architects on future-proof designs, and utilizing referendums for major projects, your district can set itself up for success, both now and in the future.
Through the course of Hunzinger’s history we have completed over 360 school projects and counting. Hunzinger builds educational facilities on time and on budget that harbor creative and academic environments and use state-of the-art technologies to better assist students in today’s fast paced learning modules. Hunzinger’s educational experience ranges from higher education to grade school, encompassing everything from new facilities to classroom renovations and expansions. Hunzinger has been instrumental in the passage of referendum efforts enabling clients to grow their vision. These are never easy undertakings; you can count on Hunzinger to diligently work on your behalf as you embark on this initial critical step. CLICK HERE to view our schoolwork.
