Tag: schools

K-12 Teachers Are Worried About Classroom Air Quality

Teachers across the United States and Canada are deeply concerned about the quality of their classroom air and believe school districts must do more to address the issue. That’s according to the third annual Clean Air Survey of North American Educators from Fellowes. The study, which surveyed more than 1,200 K-12 teachers, underscores the critical role of clean air in […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of January 2025

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. NYC Electric Soccer Stadium Major League Soccer’s (MLS) New York City FC, Turner Construction Co., and city leaders broke ground on Etihad Park, a $780 million, all-electric stadium in the borough of Queens. Fully financed by the […]

mopping

School Custodian of the Year Contest Seeks Nominations

School custodians play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment—inside and outside the classroom. However, their extensive schedules and strenuous duties often go unnoticed. To honor exceptional school custodians, Cintas Corp.  has launched its 12th annual Custodian of the Year contest and is seeking nominations from the public through Feb. 7. “Beyond cleaning and maintenance, […]

Maryland School District Touts LEED Green Building Certification

Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland announced that its new Beach Elementary School building has been awarded LEED Silver status in recognition of the sustainable practices used during construction. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is among the most widely used green building […]

Georgia School District Launches All-Green Bus Fleet

Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has become the first school district in Georgia with an all-green school bus fleet, serving its 25 daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission buses. Blue Bird Corp. recently delivered five electric and 12 propane-powered school buses to the district. WCS said its new fleet will significantly improve air quality for students and […]

EPA Awards Over $735M for Green School Buses, Other Heavy-Duty Vehicles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that 70 applicants across 27 states, three Tribal Nations, and one territory have been tentatively selected to receive over $735 million to assist in the purchase of over 2,400 zero-emission vehicles through its first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. The majority of the funding will go toward adopting […]

Virginia Awards $12M in School Security Equipment Grants

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has awarded $12 million in School Security Equipment Grants to 96 school divisions and 472 schools to help protect students, faculty and staff, and visitors. Virginia is one of many states throughout the country, including Pennsylvania, New York, Louisiana, and Missouri, that have invested millions of dollars into school security amid rising concerns about safety. “Every child […]

‘A Remarkable Success’: State Officials Highlight School Safety Tip Lines

From bullying to tragic shootings, school violence is a threat facing every community across the country. Statewide school safety tip lines, currently offered in over 20 states, can play a major role in helping protect students and staff. In fact, officials from Texas and Wisconsin recently revealed encouraging stats about their respective programs. Texas The […]

Building Envelope Upgrade: Can Metal Panels Breathe New Life into Aging Buildings?

When upgrading a building’s envelope, facilities managers and designers should use materials created to protect aging structures while modernizing their visual aesthetics. The building enclosure separates the interior from the environment, shielding it from external elements. Most aging structures were created with outdated materials, decreasing their thermal efficiency and providing less protection. Metal panels may […]

EPA Celebrates $34M in Grants to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated $34 million in Inflation Reduction Act grants awarded to five organizations to help school districts across the country improve indoor air quality (IAQ). EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz recently joined the grantees at Horatio B. Hackett School in Philadelphia to congratulate them on their awards, underscore the importance of IAQ, and highlight previous school efforts. “EPA is proud to […]