Course Descriptions

Management Supervision and Human Resources

27 hours
This management course examines the changing role of buildings and grounds supervisors, focusing on their responsibilities and relationships with staff, other departments in the school system, and school administration. Topics include leadership and decision-making, supervising and delegating, teamwork, communicating and listening, strategic planning and implementing plans, problem solving, and conflict resolution and negotiating techniques. The course covers these issues in the context of school systems and established personnel practices, labor relations, staff development, custodial management, and salary administration.

Information Systems

15 hours
This course focuses on the impact, and effective and efficient use, of computers and computer systems in schools. Participants explore internal and external telecommunication and transportation support systems, and basic concepts of personal computers and their usefulness to the school buildings and grounds operation. The curriculum includes a demonstration and discussion of applications, including a detailed plan for developing a database; Microsoft Office Suite programs are introduced. The class spends time in a computer lab.

Structural and Mechanical Systems

15 hours
The first part of this course deals with structural foundations. Instructors provide an overview of the construction process followed by a survey of the types of facilities managed by class participants. Structural plans and designs are examined with regard to the use of different types of materials, e.g. concrete, masonry, steel, wood, glass, and plastic structures. The advantages and disadvantages of renovation and upgrades of each type of material are discussed.

The second part of the class focuses on mechanical systems. Students increase their skills in analyzing plot plans, blueprints, and operational plans as they relate to construction designs and specifications. This includes an examination of the exterior and interior plumbing of school buildings. Students will review sewer drainage, HVAC, refrigeration, fire protection and detection, electrical power sources, motor control, boiler operations, safety and alarm, integrated clocks, and communication systems.

ENVIRONMENTAL CODE COMPLIANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

24 hours
This course covers the regulatory codes and enforcement procedures relating to school building and grounds operations. Instructors provide an overview of the various environmental and code issues involved in maintaining regulatory compliance. Environmental regulations include the Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Indoor Air Quality Standard, Community Right to Know Act, the Lead/Copper Rule, and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. In addition, managing hazardous wastes and material recycling will be discussed. Code compliance topics include fire drills, emergency response, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Note: This course was formerly titled Environmental and Governmental Code Compliance.

Preventive Maintenance

15 hours
In this course, instructors discuss the relationship of building design, maintenance programs for different structures, and related cost of equipment and materials for upkeep of buildings and grounds. They also review the theoretical and practical aspects of planning, scheduling, and evaluating, including time motion studies, life cycle formulas, and monitoring programs. The curriculum covers efficient and effective maintenance practices, such as environmentally sound turf, tree, and shrub management; pest control programs; recreational facilities in and around schools (playgrounds, swimming pools, and equipment); and sidewalks and parking lots.

Participants conduct an assessment of their own schools, and bring their individual assessments to the classroom. Together with the instructor, students develop and design a preventive maintenance program and monitoring schedule for their schools.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND PURCHASING

15 hours
This course addresses issues that educational facility managers deal with on a regular basis. In the financial management area, this includes the significance and general principles of a cost accounting system, General Acceptable Accounting Practices (GAAP), budget preparation, auditing procedures, and cash flow analysis. In the purchasing area, this includes effective purchasing practices of supplies and equipment, public contract laws as they relate to purchasing goods and services, cooperative purchasing procedures, change order regulations, and certification of funds. The advantages and disadvantages of the competitive bidding process also are covered. The course emphasizes the importance of standardized procedures and clear communication between school buildings and grounds departments and their administrations.

Energy Management

6 hours
This class examines the effect of efficient energy systems on the facilities management operation. It focuses on available sources of energy and efficiency levels pertaining to building design. Students review energy conservation measures for steam, electricity, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

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