Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the first round of selectees for the Renew America’s Schools grant program, a competitive award that will support the implementation of energy improvements in public K-12 schools across the country. Following “unprecedented” demand for the funding, the DOE chose 24 Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in 22 states to share […]
The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has awarded over $20 million to harden the perimeters of K-12 schools across the state. The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved the LDOE’s Stronger Connections Grant program allocations to 39 traditional public and public charter systems. According to the LDOE, the funds will be used […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering more funding to help school districts across the country make the switch to alternative fuel bus fleets. In late April, the agency launched a $400 million round of grants under its Clean School Bus Program, with applications due by Aug. 22. The funding is made possible by […]
In a move to step-up its clean energy goals, the University of California (UC) has signed its first-ever wind energy contract. The deal represents the university’s largest renewable energy commitment to date in support of campus decarbonization. UC entered the 85 megawatt (MW) power purchase agreement with Pattern Energy, which is developing the 3,500 MW […]
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) have released the K-12 Bystander Reporting Toolkit, a new resource to support K-12 schools in strengthening school safety reporting programs and encouraging bystander reporting among students and the broader school community. The toolkit offers simple strategies and guidance K-12 […]
On May 10, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed school safety legislation into law and recognized the investment of more than $230 million to strengthen safety at public and private schools across the state. The measures are in response to a March shooting that killed three children and three adults at the Covenant School in Nashville. “Nothing is more […]
In a constantly changing world, the security and safety challenges schools face—as well as the ways in which schools can address those challenges—are also ever-changing. The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) has released the sixth edition of its Safety and Security Guidelines for K-12 Schools—a free resource that offers comprehensive information for school administrators, […]
Risk mitigation is the process of planning and developing options to reduce threats or risks to people. Resilience is the ability to learn, respond, reflect, and recover from emergencies. While risk mitigation activities are preventative, and resilience activities are reactive, both place serious responsibility on the shoulders of facilities management teams. What’s important in resilience […]
Nearly 4 in 10 educators surveyed in the United States are considering quitting. The reason? Gun violence. They don’t feel safe at work. That’s according to a new report from weapons detection company Evolv Technology and market research firm Equation Research. The inaugural report reveals that gun violence is taking a “significant toll” on educators, with […]
All school employees in Pennsylvania will receive three hours of safety and security training every year, at no charge to their schools, through a new program grant approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). “Every kid deserves to be safe and feel safe, whether they’re in the classroom, on the playing field, waiting […]