Presents the history, ideal level of utilization, and current reality of six educational facility concepts: openness, space relationships, quantity, quality, suitability, and flexibility. (MLF)

Energy engineers can help schools build complete energy conservation systems. These specialists (1) conduct thorough energy audits, (2) design and supervise retrofitting, (3) recommend and supervise preventive maintenance programs, (4) recommend computerized controls, and (5) monitor utility bills. This article includes description of a school…

A new sliding insulated panel reduces window heat loss up to 86 percent, and infiltration 60-90 percent, paying for itself in 3-9 years. This article discusses the panel's use and testing in the upper Midwest, reporting both technical characteristics and users' reactions. (MCG)

With community cooperation, imagination, and marketing skills, school buildings can be converted to other community uses. Tables summarize recent sales in Delaware. (MLF)

Describes a revised building standard, 1980 A 117.1, requiring barrier-free locksets in new and renovated buildings. The standard specifies that locksets must be designed so that the handle need not be twisted, grasped, or pinched to open the door. Lever-handle, push-type, and U-shaped handles are preferred. (TE)

An EPA survey of the largest school districts in the nation revealed that over 50 percent have not inspected for asbestos and two-thirds have failed to notify parents adequately. Seven steps are therefore provided for successful asbestos abatement, in anticipation of tougher regulations now under consideration. (TE)

Despite thousands of public building closures in the last decade, many public agencies are renting privately owned space. Interagency use of public facilities is one response to this problem; however, to overcome legal, political, economic, and social barriers, agencies must learn to cooperate and communicate better. (MCG)

Deferred maintenance is reaching crisis proportion on many campuses. An overview of this priority for governing boards and a look at how trustees should be involved is presented in an interview of Harvey Kaiser, vice president for facilities administration at Syracuse University. (Author/MLW)

A program for school districts with central air conditioning and/or high kilowatt demand and low summer occupancy involves custodians from a number of buildings thoroughly cleaning one building, then closing it for the summer. Critical factors of this program are identified. (MLF)

Among the nine steps developed by the Elloree Public Schools in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, are taking a crash course in school construction, considering hiring a consultant, defining goals, developing a management plan, creating a project description, drawing up a list of prospective architects, and soliciting presentations. (JBM)

This article reviews recommendations on policies for leasing surplus school space made during the Council of Educational Facility Planners/International conference. A case study presentation of a Seattle district's use of lease agreements is summarized. (MJL)

Two dozen schools in Cincinnati, Ohio, were closed over a period of 3 years. Property sales yielded over $1 million; one property, considered an architectural gem, is now a health facility with office spaces and four others are leased. The leases can be cancelled if the district needs school space. (MLF)

A four-year, $8,000,000 renovation program has expanded and upgraded facilities at Boston University. (MLF)

Suggests general guidelines for effective educational facility planning involving two components of educational specifications: (1) written statements which detail the instructional program, and (2) a description of the physical and environmental factors for the program identified. (TA)

There is a considerable amount of research documenting the effects of noise on children. The effects are largely negative. Chronic exposure to noise has been shown to be harmful to children of various ages. It can have especially detrimental effects on younger children when language and discrimination skills are forming. Sometimes major noise…