Wight & Company’s Post

Exciting news in the education sector! Mary Scott Nabers' insightful article "How $122 Billion in School Funding Is Fueling Nationwide Construction" delves into the colossal $122 billion funding appropriated by Congress for school projects through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief program. This significant investment, with a deadline of September 30, 2024 for obligation and a final spending deadline of January 2025, signals a transformative era for educational infrastructure. Nabers' article outlines the nationwide impact of this funding. It's revitalizing our schools, with projects ranging from major construction projects to extensive renovations. The reality of aging school buildings and temporary classrooms has led to this unprecedented financial commitment, marking a pivotal moment in educational history. The article highlights various exciting initiatives, from the extensive renovation of Agawam's high school in Massachusetts to new constructions in Macon County, North Carolina, and Hopkinton, Massachusetts. These projects illustrate the dynamic collaboration between federal funding and local community efforts. If you're invested in the future of our educational facilities, whether as a parent, educator, or community member, this article provides great information and insight. Read now and be a part of the conversation shaping our schools' futures. https://lnkd.in/eaASQ_R9  #EducationFunding #SchoolConstruction

Ohio lawmakers are allocating $415.8 million to public universities & community colleges specifically to improve their infrastructure and buildings — think ceiling repairs and HVAC upgrades. Here's how a few Ohio colleges plan to spend their shares: https://lnkd.in/e3_-z4Mb.

New school planning and construction - a phased approach (aligned to planned growth) is often best. Depending on the land and building footprints, opening specialist blocks and facilites for Senior / High School at the appropriate times is recommended. #newschool #internationalschools #privateschools

A great moment this Wednesday as our statement of interest for Charles Ashley Elementary school was accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority's eligibility phase which is the first step in a likely five year process to replace the school with a 21st Century building. Here we plan to house prospective Ashley and Swift elementary students. The respective votes and consideration of the School Committee and City Council earlier this year and the Mayor's commitment to significant capital planning are also important preceding steps to note. The district continues to focus on our school buildings and seeks the learning environments our staff and students deserve, and we will pursue all available means to finance much needed renovation and replacement projects. The MSBA offers a national model for managing and executing the highest quality school building projects with state support. New Bedford's past decade of partnership with the MSBA staff is a success story and has considerably improved our ability to plan for and manage school renovation and replacement. 2023 sees a number of creative and exciting changes to the MSBA replacement and repair programs that will better assist districts, and which will move more projects forward amid the state's high expense construction climate. However, we continue to be clear that the state of Massachusetts must do more to address the inequities revealed in any wider assessment of its urban school buildings. Too many students in Massachusetts cities, especially in New Bedford, attend schools rated as insufficient or below modern standards, buildings that may become compromised in the coming decade. The state's most at risk students attend the oldest schools, schools with accessibility needs, unreliable plumbing electric and mechanical systems. Massachusetts should not stop examining creative capital financing options, grant funding, and federally funded opportunities to move as many students as possible into the spaces their peers in other towns daily experience. Read more from The New Bedford Light https://lnkd.in/e4UC_mVZ

The Southside of Savannah is receiving millions of dollars of investments. Windsor Forest High School is scheduled to open in July 2025. This new school is a $92 million dollar investment into this booming part of Savannah, GA. If you want to learn more about this market and get more information on our upcoming deal, click the link in the comments. #commercialrealestate #multifamilyinvesting #passiveinvesting

Read our April 2024 Development Update to get a peek into the lexicon of facility development. Specifically, we identify the most common terms and fees you—as a school leader or board member—can expect to encounter on a major construction or renovation project. Whether you’re leasing from an owner of a strip mall for temporary space or securing your permanent bond funding for all-new construction, this concise glossary of terms will help. #schools #charterschools  #education #communitydevelopment #schoolconstruction  #charterschooldevelopment #missiondriven https://lnkd.in/gzH_pVQT

Rochester City School District Board Approves Reconfiguration Plan Closing 11 Schools In a significant decision, the Rochester City School District (RCSD) Board of Education voted to move forward with a reconfiguration plan that includes closing 11 schools and five buildings. Read More: https://lnkd.in/dhVQrKHs #EducationNews #LearningUpdates #EdTechTrends #EducationReform #StudentSuccess #TeacherResources #HigherEdNews

To help parents prepare for the start of the new school year here are some of your questions answered. ❔Is it back to school as normal this week? The vast majority of schools will start the new school year as planned. Your child should attend school as normal at the start of term, unless your school has contacted you and advised otherwise. ❔What is RAAC and what’s changed? RAAC = Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete. A building material used from the 1950s - mid-1990s. In cases as recent as August RAAC has failed so the government has advised schools to vacate areas where it's present. ❔Is my school affected? Most schools are unaffected and will operate as normal. If your child’s school has been affected you will have received information from them directly. ❔Why has this been done now? We have been helping schools to manage the potential risks of RAAC since 2018. However, in cases as recent as August, buildings containing the material have failed unexpectedly, requiring decisive action in order to keep staff and pupils safe. ❔What if my child’s school is one of those affected? The impact on each school affected is varied. Some will only need to close small parts of the building and will stay open. The few affected more significantly will be supported by the government to put alternative plans in place. To keep up with the latest updates and what we are doing to help schools and colleges, click here 👇 https://ow.ly/iHQr50PHg1q In addition, keep in touch with your child’s school. The safety of pupils and staff will always be our top priority.

Look at this beautiful new school that the southside of Savannah will be getting in 2025! Windsor Forest High School will be ready for 1,000 students when it is finished in July 2025. If you want to learn more about this booming part of Savannah, message me or register at our website in the comments below. #savannahga #realestateinvesting #apartmentinvesting

This is amazing, and definitely something that should and could be replicated. Helping public schools reach impact, and engagement goals in different regions, would be big. If there's no money behind it, then things like this become well discussed ideas, not realities. #Publiceducation #infrastructure #workforcehousing #affordablehousing #investment #publicschools #education #innovation #technology #communitydevelopment