Facilities Director Course Descriptions

Introduction to Facilities Management (3 hours): An overview of educational facilities operation with a focus on several key areas. A discussion of the role of the Facilities Manager in the educational community and the impact of facilities in general on the learning and work environment. An outline of the legal and regulatory responsibilities will also be discussed.

Budget (3 hours): Principles of school budgeting; and method of establishing and maintaining a facilities budget.

Computerized Facility Management (3 hours): Demonstration of different options for computerization of the facility management functions, including: work order systems, utility tracking, preventative maintenance, space usage, and inventory.

Custodial Operations (3 hours): An overview of custodial operations with emphasis on procedure manuals, scheduling and staffing, training, equipment and supplies, and service contracts.

Emergency Preparedness Management (3 hours): Identify, develop, and learn how to execute a plan for emergency management.

Environmental Health and Safety (3 hours): Major state and federal regulations and how they are blended with each other and their impact on facilities.

Facility Design and Construction (3 hours): Principles in the design of educational facilities, and options in methods of construction management, selection of design and construction professionals.

Facility Planning and Bonds (3 hours): Methodologies for facility planning from conception to the bonding process, including laws, bidding requirements and record keeping.

Financial Analysis (3 hours): Methods of performing a financial analysis of options and life-cycle costing.

Maintenance Operations (3 hours): An overview of maintenance operations, including: grounds, with a focus on preventative maintenance; scheduling and staffing; work order systems; and service contracts.

Principles of Education (3 hours): An understanding of: the educational process, culture of schools, major learning theories, teaching methodologies, school improvement, design of in-service programs, and the structure and function of the principalship.

Public Relations and Internal Communications (3 hours): Background in PR and presenting yourself to others, including: developing a public relations plan, working with your community, relating to other administrators within your organization, doing a budget presentation, and using internal and external committees in developing a budget.

Purchasing (3 hours): Basics of the purchasing function, including: related laws for bidding and purchasing; purchasing options; lease-purchase, partnerships, cooperative and performance contracting; and an overview of contract administration, reviewing contracts, and record keeping.

Systems - HVAC, Electrical, and Technology (3 hours): An overview of different systems and their components, and the working relationship between the different systems.

Team Leadership (3 hours): The components of leadership in general, and the methods and challenges of managing people, including: recruiting, training, motivating, and evaluating your staff.

Utilities and Energy Conservation (3 hours): Overview of the gas and electric utilities, including: services provided and deregulation; discussion of energy conservation options; and a method of financing.

Wrap-up (2 hours): A concluding session to very briefly review the major program content areas, provide references and resource materials, and offer a chance for the participants to reflect back and look forward on their roles.

Elective (6 hours): Any class can be taken in your area of specialty.

Total class time is 56 hours. Continuing Education hours are 90 hours within a five-calendar-year period.