Facilities Planning & Development

The Department is responsible for the assessment of near and long-term school construction needs, and for the preparation of a program of school construction and capital renovations that address those needs. In performing this function, the department relies on the expertise of its staff of educational professionals and engineers as well as other members of the WCPS administration. Coordination with outside agencies at the state and local level is also keyed to the success of this Department.

Ongoing responsibilities include:

• Creating short and long-term enrollment projections that enable timely forecasting of Instructional, Facilities and Operational needs.
• Updating annually to the 10-year Educational Facilities Master Plan.
• Coordinating of the annual preparation of the six-year Capital Improvement Program.
• Maintaining and coordinating the boundary adjustment process.
• Coordinating land requisition for future school sites.
• Coordinating the preparation of Educational Specifications with Instructional Staff.
• Reviewing residential development plans as required by county and municipal jurisdictions.

The Department provides the administration of the design and construction of new schools, and additions and renovations to existing schools, in accordance with approved Educational Specifications. In addition, this Department supervises other minor facility modifications including, the installation and relocation of portable classrooms, and maintains real property and critical facility data.

The department is responsible for:

• Implementing of the Capital Improvement Program.
• Providing on-site Project Management and inspection staff of professionals and engineers.
• Helping to provide building evaluation and assessment to coordinate the planning of future construction in preparation for the annual Education Facilities Master Plan.
• Coordinating with local and state authorities to ensure successful projects.

It is our mission to ensure that all public school facilities are appropriately planned and constructed to ensure the best education of our students and the best value to the community.

Maintenance provides the services necessary to create a safe physical environment while protecting the asset value of the Boards' 49 properties throughout the county. The department's goal is to see that Washington County's public schools are maintained in the most cost-efficient manner possible in keeping with federal and state guidelines and Board policy.

• Operates, repairs and replaces the mechanical equipment in schools, including boilers, HVAC equipment, pumps, compressors and motors
• Repairs and replaces plumbing fixtures including sewer and water lines, sinks, drinking fountains and hot water heaters
• Repairs windows, constructs partitions, hangs chalkboards, builds cabinets, installs lockers, designs building modifications, patches roofs and paints walls
• Mows grass, plows snow, maintains athletic fields, fixes potholes, removes trees, builds fences
• Operates an integrated pest management and pesticide notification program for buildings and grounds that comply with all state laws concerning hazardous chemicals
• Repairs and replaces lighting fixtures, electrical appliances, panels, breakers, plugs and wiring, emergency generators, elevators and lifts, fire alarm systems, and temperature control systems
• Inspects and maintains playground equipment, overhead doors, gymnasium equipment such as backboards, bleachers, climbing ropes, scoreboards, and stage equipment, including lights, cables, and curtains.

Operations provides all employees and students with a safe, secure, clean, and aesthetically pleasant physical environment that is conducive to learning. In addition, support and service to the telecommunications network, computer hardware, and A/V equipment is under this budget category. Program functions include:

• Custodial services
• Security
• Safety
• Waste disposal
• Mail delivery
• Contracted repair services
• Computer repair and installation services
• Utilities and insurance on vehicles and buildings

Operations: 

• Specifies and provides all custodial supplies throughout the system including paper products, chemicals, and equipment
• Manages the substitute custodian program
• Oversees the Board's safety and environment program, which includes OSHA inspections, asbestos management, fire drills, well water testing, blood-borne pathogens training, radon management, indoor air quality testing, fire marshal inspections, and security systems
• Manages small project building renovations from planning and design to bidding and construction