Why Facility Maintenance is Important to Schools
Most of you already know that facility maintenance is a necessity for schools and other institutions, but how important is it really? The first thing that comes to mind is it ensures the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
However, proper facility maintenance also sends a powerful message - the importance the community places on education. It also encourages future public investment into the buildings and infrastructure.
A clean and well-maintained school creates a positive relationship between school conditions and student achievements and behavior.
Buildings Matter
Buildings provide shelter and protect us from outside elements. School buildings additionally provide a safe learning environment. 
Regularly scheduled maintenance for the exterior and interior of school buildings is essential to keeping students, teachers, staff, and visitors safe.
Natural occurring events such as rain, snow, wind, sun, and other elements can have adverse effects on roofs, windows, doors, paint, wood, and other materials. This can cause costly repairs and unsafe conditions if not regularly maintained.
Periodic inspections and maintenance on the roof, walls, gutters, drains, and foundations are an investment in controlling interior conditions as well as preserving the building itself.
Having a plan in place for regular maintenance scheduling, inspections, repairs, etc... is the best way to continue providing a clean and safe facility.
Create a Facility Maintenance Plan
Perform an audit of your buildings and equipment. Knowing the age and condition of a building or piece of equipment is necessary to maintain it properly.
The need for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades becomes much clearer when you know what condition the building or equipment is in. Good data about the buildings and equipment is necessary for good decision making.
Make a maintenance schedule and checklist for each area of the building that needs maintenance as well as any equipment that will require regular maintenance. The maintenance department is responsible for keeping facilities and grounds in good condition on a daily basis.
Day-to-day activities should be managed with a schedule for when to check and/or maintain building areas or equipment, and a checklist for each to ensure that nothing is being missed when these "checks" occur.
Well-Maintained Schools Empower the District, Students, & Community
Facility maintenance, when done correctly and regularly, sends a "We Care" message to students, teachers, staff, and the community. It empowers the school district by enhancing its investment into the facility and infrastructure.
A sound Facility Maintenance plan serves as evidence that the school building, it's facilities, and it's equipment is, and always will be, well cared for. Most importantly, students are more likely to excel when their learning environment is clean, well-maintained, and safe.
We hope you found this guide helpful. To learn more about solutions to common school maintenance concerns, including replacing toilet partitions, please visit the School Fix Blog.
Resources
National Forum on Educational Statistics
National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities
Lewis, B. McGraw-Hill Education; 2 edition. May 9, 2007. Facility Manager's Maintenance Handbook.
References
Bolle, S., Lundgren Management Corporation. Sept. 2005. Facility Management in the New Millenium: How to Develop a Comprehensive Facility Maintenance Plan. Retrieved 8-31-2015.https://www.cashnet.org/resource-center/resourcefiles/562.pdf
The Importance of a Facilities Maintenance Plan. https://www.cmgserviceinc.com/news-articles/the-importance-of-a-facilities-maintenance-plan/
The Importance of Proper Building Maintenance. Posted December 27, 2012. CSG Florida. https://csgcamservices.com/blog/2012/12/the-importance-of-proper-building-maintenance/
