Maintenance & Operations

The condition of academic facilities contributes to the quality of education. Read more about effective policies and practices for routine, emergency and preventative maintenance programs; cleaning and custodial care; efficiency and staffing models; and more.

Resources

Featured

  • Get an A+ in Restroom Maintenance

    Clean school restrooms are vital for students’ wellbeing and education. Research shows unclean restrooms can amplify the spread of bacteria and viruses. lllness is a main cause of student absenteeism, which can lead to poor school performance and potentially school dropout. 08/13/2024

  • Enabling the Future of the Campus Experience

    This strategy for campus renewal and modernization was top of mind for the University of New Hampshire (UNH) as it embarked on one of its most significant infrastructure improvements in recent history––relocating a substantial portion of its utility distribution network connected to the Combined Heat & Power Plant (CHP). 11/02/2023

  • Can Outsourcing Solve Higher Education’s Operational Challenges?

    Today’s higher education institutions are faced with a myriad of operational complexities in the pursuit of academic excellence. Staffing, student well-being, maintenance, sustainability, and operations management challenges have only been amplified by the pandemic, decreasing enrollments, aging infrastructure, and funding constraints. The operating environment of educational facilities has undoubtably become more stressful. 09/14/2023

  • AMR Scrubbers Free Up Staff for More Human-Centered Duties

    Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are the future; Isaac Asimov and the rest of classic sci-fi have been telling us this for decades. 07/10/2023

  • Stimulus Funding and School Infrastructure

    How Stimulus Funding Can Tackle School Infrastructure Updates

    As schools and universities prepare for the return of students and faculty after nearly a year of remote learning, many are faced with growing concerns around how to keep facilities safe in the post-pandemic world. This is doubly true when considering that crucial HVAC and building management systems (BMS) are often outdated and in need of replacement. 08/11/2021

  • Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    02/08/2021
  • Schools In Focus podcast logo and Mike Wolf and Ron Wendorski

    Schools In Focus: Indoor Air Quality

    01/15/2021
  • Someone with blue rubber gloves wiping down a desk.

    Does Your School Maintenance Plan Pass the Test?

    Although you set your initial school maintenance plan during the late summer months, now is a good time to evaluate its effectiveness, find opportunities to refine your processes, and make sure you and your teams are doing all you can to safeguard students and staff if and when they enter your doors in person. 12/07/2020

  • Social distancing markers on school hallway.

    Studying Up: Preparing for Flu Season

    This year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses like the flu is more important than ever. 11/30/2020

  • Student washing hands with touchless faucet.

    How to Improve Infection Control and Handwashing in School Restrooms

    How do you create a hygienic and safe environment equipped to handle everyday usage and increased handwashing activity by students, faculty, administration and staff? And, how do you improve the restroom experience to make it more appealing to its users? 10/20/2020

  • Custodial worker using an autovac. Courtesy of Kaivac.

    Proper Mop Care and Other Floor-Cleaning Systems Amid COVID-19

    Floors are too often overlooked when it comes to fighting the spread of infection. For many years, many hospital administrators did not even believe it was necessary to disinfect floors. Now we know better. Floors, as well as the tools used to clean floors, deserve close attention when it comes to minimizing the spread of coronavirus.   10/06/2020

  • Maintenance of a building

    4 Ways Schools Can Improve Indoor Air Quality to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission

    A building’s HVAC technology can help decrease the transmission rate or mitigate the risk of exposure. Thus, schools must consider their HVAC system as part of their overall COVID-19 mitigation strategy, in addition to social distancing, cleaning, screening, signage and operational practices. 09/28/2020

  • Schools In Focus podcast logo and Belinda Oakley, CEO of Chartwells K12, and Seth Ferriell, CEO of SSC Services for Education.

    Schools In Focus: Food Service During a Pandemic

    In this episode of Schools In Focus podcast, I speak to Belinda Oakley, CEO of Chartwells K12 and Seth Ferriell, CEO of SSC Services for Education, about school food service during a pandemic. 09/08/2020

  • Teacher disinfecting classroom desks.

    Are We Disinfecting Too Much?

    Will a more methodical, well-thought-out approach be implemented for disinfectant use or, will they be once again randomly applied, essentially using a “hope for the best” mentality? Let’s hope application is not random, and here is why. In the U.S., disinfectants are considered “pesticides” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and rightly so. 08/12/2020

  • A row of fitness equipment.

    Keeping Campus Rec Areas and Equipment Clean During a Pandemic

    As universities begin to welcome students back, directors of college recreational centers will need to develop plans, policies and protocols to maintain a safe and healthy environment. The many “moving parts” that make up college recreational center operations present some unique challenges for maintaining a safe and clean facility. 07/22/2020

  • A woman student wearing a face mask looks at her phone while a few feet away a male student wearing a face mask looks at a book.

    Q&A with a Facility Services Expert: Protocols for Reopening Colleges and Universities

    As colleges and universities make plans to reopen facilities in the fall, higher ed decision makers must consider a variety of issues while COVID-19 continues to spread in communities across the country. A facility services expert shares strategies and protocols used to ensure a healthy environment for students, faculty and staff. 06/17/2020

  • Woman taking the temperature of a child who is wearing a face mask and a backpack with a contactless thermometer.

    Here’s What Designers and Architects Anticipate Schools Will Look Like in the Fall and After COVID-19

    We asked designers and architects from across the country what they anticipate classrooms will look like in the fall if they were to reopen, how the coronavirus will impact school design in the long-term, and suggestions on design concepts schools can implement right away to help with social distancing in facilities. Their answers offer insight to available design options and possibilities that can help school leaders plan and make the best decisions for their students and staff. 05/18/2020

  • Children in winter coats and hats wearing face masks and walking on sidewalk.

    Living (and Learning) with COVID-19: Best Practices for Reopening Schools

    While the attention so far has been focused mainly on ensuring that all students continue to receive a high-quality learning experience from home, leaders are now shifting their focus to how they can safely and responsibly reopen schools. Here are eight key suggestions for keeping students and staff safe when schools reopen. 04/29/2020

  • A custodial worker using an electrostatic mister to clean an office.

    Combating COVID-19 with Electrostatic Misters

    This cleaning process provides more thorough coverage, essentially leaving no place for germs and pathogens, including those that cause COVID-19, to hide. 04/20/2020

  • Handling Restroom Vandalism

    Tips for Handling Restroom Vandalism

    There may not be a good answer as to why restrooms are vandalized, but there are products and methods available to help with discouraging the act. 03/27/2020

  • Technology for Campus Parking Centers

    Data-Driven: How Customer Service Platforms are Improving Campus Parking

    What do your students complain about? Fair or not, parking is usually near the top of the list. To handle those complaints, many campuses are turning to parking-specific customer service platforms to support their automated parking operations. 03/20/2020

  • Cleaning for COVID-19

    COVID-19, Cleaning and Schools

    School and campus administrators throughout North America are very concerned about coronavirus and its impact on their facilities, students, teachers and staff. And there is good reason. 03/17/2020

  • Healthy Cleaning

    A Response to COVID-19: Cleaning for Health

    As coronavirus concerns mount, what should administrators and cleaning professionals know? 03/09/2020

  • A custodian cart in front of a white wall.

    Combating Coronavirus: Resources on Cleaning and Sanitizing Schools

    Spaces4Learning has several resources on best practices for cleaning and sanitizing schools and maintaining healthy schools during peak flu season, which can be applied to the coronavirus. Here you'll find our top articles and a webinar on the subject to help you combat the spread of coronavirus. 03/06/2020

  • Autonomous Shuttle Vehicle

    Autonomous Technology: Transforming the College Experience

    Autonomous shuttles could make transportation around campus easier for students, instructors, staff and visitors. 03/04/2020

  • workers on lift cleaning windows

    From Cradle to Grave: The Cost of a Building

    When a system shows signs of failing, what is the most cost-effective course of action an owner should take? Does the owner replace the system or close the facility? 03/01/2020

  • custodian cleaning wall

    COVID-19 and The Custodial Training Component

    Issues impacting the ability and training of cleaning contractors vary in different settings and situations. However, all of them must be overcome, and urgently, if we are going to get on top of the COVID-19 situation. 03/01/2020

  • cleaning hand rails on staircase

    Pandemic Response: Protecting Custodial Workers

    Custodial workers must modify cleaning practices and behaviors to help reduce COVID-19 risks, not only for a building’s occupants, but especially for themselves. 03/01/2020

  • Parking Guidance Systems

    Simple Parking Guidance for Colleges and Universities

    Parking guidance also offers tremendous administrative benefits to colleges and universities by keeping track of how their parking assets are being utilized. 02/21/2020

  • cleaning

    Healthy Cleaning

    Can more effective cleaning reduce student absenteeism? The evidence seems to say that it can. 01/01/2020

  • As the end of the calendar year (and the decade) draws near, the fall attendance numbers are in and many district leaders around the country are undertaking facilities and capacity reviews.

    3 Key Practices to Preparing and Sharing a Facilities Review

    Using a geographic information system helps school and district leaders connect disparate data sources and present their conclusions to their boards and communities. 12/11/2019

  • Optimizing HVAC

    The Simple Formula for Successful HVAC Optimization

    Comprehensive scoping plus planning equals savings. 12/04/2019

  • snow

    Before the Snow Falls

    Autumn is the ideal time to prepare structures for winter from roof to foundation. Undertaking routine inspections in the fall can prevent costly repairs in the future. 09/01/2019

  • locker room cleaning

    5 Keys to Proactive Locker Room Cleaning

    09/01/2019
  • custodial

    Educating Custodial Workers

    Clean facilities are healthy and high-performing facilities. Ensuring that custodial workers are properly trained on equipment, supplies, and methods leads to more effective and successful workers and healthier facilities. 09/01/2019

  • Trends in Education: View From the Industry

    Look inside for commentary from experts in the field who share their perspective on trends in education and the effect those changes will have on various learning environments. 07/01/2019

  • structural integrity

    Preserving Structural Integrity

    It is important to include a structural perspective of your facilities when considering the impact of deferred maintenance. 07/01/2019

  • deferred maintenance at school steps

    Why Deferring Maintenance Now Will Cost You Later

    Your environment is more than simply the place you are; the atmosphere you occupy affects you on a biological level, sending signals to your body and mind that influence your health in a variety of ways. 07/01/2019

  • Cleaning With Water

    Taking a closer look at the pros and cons of chemical-free cleaning. 07/01/2019

  • View From the Industry

    Look inside for commentary from experts in the field who share their perspective on trends in education and the effect those changes will have on various learning environments. 07/01/2019

  • Wellness Policies: School Districts Are Only One Year Away from Their First Triennial Assessment

    By a minimum of effort at formulating a real district wellness policy, local education authorities can affect the health of all students in schools by inventing a way to concentrate on helping those kids eat better, exercise more, and eliminate properly. 06/06/2019

  • maintenance cleaning floors

    Floors Need Special Care

    Nearly all flooring surfaces in a school facility can be considered 'high traffic areas.' 06/01/2019

  • The Time Has Come for Us to Say 'Sayonara'

    06/01/2019
  • Preventing and Treating Bed Bug Infestations in Residence Halls

    College dorms are among the top 10 hiding places for bed bugs. Prevention is preferable to treatment when dealing with this pest. 04/17/2019

  • roof

    My Roof's Got a Hole In it...

    Each roof leak is an opportunity to fail. As always, planning for all possible alternatives in advance will pay dividends in the future. 04/01/2019

  • roof

    A Prescription for Healthy Roofs

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to roof maintenance. 04/01/2019

  • mechanical systems

    Control Freaks

    Optimizing School Mechanical Systems By Paying Attention. 03/01/2019

  • school bus

    Keeping Schools Healthy Starts Before the Kids Get to School

    03/01/2019
  • What We Need to Know About Quat Binding

    It’s flu season. Effectively keeping the campus environment clean can help reduce the spread of the pathogens that cause the flu. 02/25/2019

  • Managing the Day-to-Day Operations of a Maintenance Department

    Things to consider for continued progress and efficiency. 01/01/2019

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