As the school year comes to a close, students, teachers and various support staff are preparing for a summer break away from the day-to-day rigors of teaching and learning. However, for you—the reader of American School & University—this time of year marks something much different: the beginning of a period of months that will be among your busiest.
The end of the school year typically kicks off a whirlwind of construction activity for schools and universities as new projects, major renovations and facility upgrades accelerate into high gear. With buildings and campuses sparsely populated during the summer, education administrators take advantage of this and pack the bulk of their construction, repair, improvement and deep-cleaning projects into this condensed timeframe—giving new meaning to “sweating the summer months.” But perception among the general public is that schools and universities are virtual ghost towns during the summer. This can’t be further from the truth. While students and teachers are not roaming buildings and grounds, administrators and operations staffs are working feverishly on plans for the new school year; and facilities and construction staff are sweating the details on the projects that will welcome back those on break upon their return.
In addition to new construction projects and major renovations entering their final stages, numerous upgrade and improvement projects will be completed during the summer months. Among the upgrades that have taken a sense of urgency and that many schools and universities will be completing are physical security enhancements, improvements to indoor and outdoor lighting, adding or increasing security camera coverage, and door and window replacements.
This month’s issue focuses on many of the issues you will be tackling over the next few months, including flooring/carpeting; energy improvements; interior design and planning; and a special look at the state of school and university construction today, and what the future holds for the next generation of education facilities.
In a few months when students, teachers and various support staff return and share stories of their summer recess, take pride that your hard work during their break will be a major contributor to them having a rewarding and successful experience now and in the future.