Discusses what flooding can do to schools; how to prevent or mitigate flood damage; how to prepare for and respond to flood emergencies; and how to recover from a flood. Includes an appendix on schools as emergency shelters, 31 references and additional online resources. 48p.

Assists school districts in the preparation of their emergency preparedness guide. This online publication takes the user through the responsibilities of essential staff, as well as providing checklists of tasks which department heads should complete before, during, and after an event, and issues to consider when creating your district's disaster preparedness guide. The guide is organized in eleven major categories that must be addressed, as they directly impact school district operations: people transportation, communications, food service, planning supplies, facilities, legal, technology, financial, and education. Each category has a short overview to explain the major objectives of the section, followed by an outline of items to consider when assembling a planning, management and recovery plan for the district.

Describes the environmental conditions (wind speed, storm surge, and flooding) that were present during the hurricanes in regions that were affected by these hurricanes. The report further documents the NIST-led team's observations of damage to major buildings, infrastructure, schools, and residential structures resulting from wind and wind-borne debris, storm surge, surge-borne debris, and surge-induced flooding. Damage reports are organized by part such as structural systems, roofs, windows, and cladding. The report concludes with 23 recommendations for: 1)improvements to practice that will have an immediate impact on the rebuilding of structures damaged or destroyed by the hurricanes; 2)improvements to standards, codes, and practice; and 3)further study or research and development. 222p.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) tasked the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to purchase temporary classrooms for Mississippi schools. To accomplish its task, the Corps placed a $39.5 million order for the purchase and delivery of 450 such classrooms. GAO received an allegation on its Fraud Hotline that the Corps paid inflated prices for the classrooms, and in response, this report reviews the facts and circumstances related to the Corps' issuance of the order. The Corps had no prior experience, no advance notice, and the need to buy the classrooms as quickly as possible. Corps contracting officials lacked knowledge of the industry and information about classroom suppliers, inventories, and prices that would have been useful in negotiating a good deal. Faced with these circumstances, they chose to purchase the classrooms by placing an order, noncompetitively, on an existing agreement with a vendor certified under the Small Business Administrations Business Development Program. The Corps accepted the vendor's proposed price of $39.5 million although it had information that the cost for the classrooms was significantly less than what the vendor was charging. Based on analysis of a quote obtained by the vendor from a local Mississippi business, the price that the vendor actually paid for the classrooms, and prices for similar units from GSA schedule contracts, it was determined that the Corps could have, but failed to, negotiate a lower price. 17p.

Presents the findings from a workshop with four Mississippi districts whose school infrastructure was seriously damaged by Hurricane Katrina. A summary of each school district and its demographics is followed by descriptions of the damage it sustained and the particular challenges it faces in rebuilding and reconfiguring its school facilities options. 28p.

A two-page form to be used by Mississippi districts to report damage from hurricane Katrina. The form is used to report damage to instructional buildings, the central office, and buses, as well as to report need for elementary and temporary classrooms. 2p.

This discusses flood water damage and recovery and provides basic clean-up procedures, including warnings on what to do before beginning clean-up efforts. Specific advice is provided for assessing and mitigating water damage to foundations, floors, interior walls, ceilings, doors and cabinets, exterior walls, ductwork systems, gas system, electrical systems, appliances, and repainting. 3p.

After a structure has been damaged during any of the wind storms -- tornado, hurricane, or high winds -- this describes the damage signs that should be noted for a wood frame structure (exterior and interior), steel frame or load bearing walls, or concrete frame, slab. A damage assessment worksheet is included.

Provides design guidance for the protection of school buildings and their occupants against natural hazards, concentrating on K-12 facilities. The focus is on the design of new schools, but the repair, renovation and extension of existing schools, as well as the economic losses and social disruption caused by damage from these three hazards is also addressed. Two core concepts emphasized are multihazard design, where the characteristics of hazards and how they interract are considered together with all other design demands, and performance-based design, where the specific concerns of building owners and occupants a considered over and above what is covered in the building code. Chapters 1-3 present issues common to all hazards. Chapters 4-6 cover risk management for each of the three specific hazards of the title. 361p.

Provides guidance and forms to prepare for and conduct a disaster assessment survey. These include pre-disaster buildings inventory, collection of civil personnel information, disaster operations facilities and supply inventory, and map lists. An organizational structure of the disaster team is suggested, along with job titles, qualifications, duties, and the process for mobilizing this team in the event of a disaster. Post-disaster recovery procedures and responsibilities are also outlined. 66p.

This guide is designed for facility and maintenance managers who are facing "repair or replace" decisions for their buildings. Filled with useful information and resources to aid in the decision process, this hands-on reference shows how to accurately rate the condition of existing equipment and components, effectively assess options, and avoid making costly mistakes. Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided, along with forms listing specific criteria identified for rating each building component. 452p.

This reference document for public school facility designers includes code items, principles that experience has shown to be desirable and practical, and best practices from a variety of professional sources. Organized into the four major engineering categories of electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural, these guidelines represent the thinking of a cross-section of design professionals and are consistent with the North Carolina Public Schools Facilities Guidelines. 54p.

In order to minimize exposure to biological contamination in buildings and to reduce the risk of illness or disease, this provides guidelines for re-occupancy of flooded buildings. 2p.

A comprehensive set of checklists and rating systems on 13 pages intended to help evaluate the cost and feasibility of renovating or replacing an old school building. The forms are intended to be used by North Carolina Schools whenever a new project would replace an older school building. 13p.

Provides checklists to enable a person of moderate training to make an accurate estimation of the structural, mechanical, and safety condition of a school buildings. The lists are divided into sections for exterior, interior, mechanical systems, and safety/building code considerations. Direct examples of the ratings to be entered on the building condition evaluations are provided, as is a means for indicating the nature of the condition, if the rating is lower than "good." 56p.

A guide for helping facility managers determine their facility's overall physical condition. Includes regulatory data and codes pertaining to educational facility evaluation. Survey sections cover general site conditions, including athletic and play areas; architectural and structural exterior features and systems; interior spaces including classrooms,laboratories, kitchens, and corridors/commons areas; the mechanical system; and the electrical system. Samples of completed survey forms and recommendations narrative are included. 54p.

This describes the circumstances where professional help may be necessary or desirable in conducting a building investigation of IAQ problems, the process for hiring professional help, evaluating potential consultants, and creating performance specifications;

Includes information on how to care for wet plaster, problems with foundations, treatment for saturated wood-framed walls and floors, exterior paint problems, cleaning out mud, where to go for assistance, and a checklist of practical considerations. 15p.

Uses examples of school district and higher education disaster recovery to discuss important steps to restore instruction after natural and man-made disasters. Maintaining communication when buildings and networks are disabled is emphasized, and temporary classroom options addressed.

Advises on the use of skilled assessments after a major damage to school facilities. Reliable pre-event assessment data is recommended and this information must be retained in a disaster-proof location.

Discusses recovery from Hurricane Ike in several coastal Texas school districts. Some schools served as storm shelters, while others were heavily damaged and their students distributed elsewhere. Class size limitations were lifted in neighboring districts that absorbed the students. Schools with disaster plans were able to recover relatively quickly, within weeks or even days after the storm. In some cases, well-built schools survived in neighborhoods that were otherwise devastated.

Reviews flood response and damage to the University of Iowa from June 2008 flooding. An aggressive response plan limited the damage to 17 percent of the campus square footage, and half of that was restored to use in time for the Fall semester beginning on August 18.

Reviews a design charrette for this New Orleans school that is gradually reopening after being flooded by Hurricane Katrina. The rebuilding offers a chance to correct deficiencies in the former campus, with particular attention to site design and a performing arts center to be shared by the community.

Narrates this aviation school's experience with a December 25, 2006 tornado. Details of the extensive damage and rebuilding are included, as are lessons learned.

Reviews the rebuilding program for New Orleans public schools damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The first step was to make sure that the usable schools were safe, clean, and relatively modern, which was not typically their state before the storm. The implementation of modular buildings, triage of schools to be repaired or replaced, and the role of the Federal Emergency Management Administration are also covered.

Reviews the recovery of New Orleans schools after Hurricane Katrina, highlighting a district whose facilities were inadequate before the storm, and converted to a "Recovery District" that is plagued by many of the same problems.

Narrates the restoration process of a Firth, Nebraska, middle school campus after a tornado. Volunteer cleanup, emergency spending authorization, the reinforcement of halls in the replacement structure, and the continuation of plans to build a new middle school on the site are described.

Describes the damage done to several New Orleans universities by Hurricane Katrina, and briefly narrates some of their experiences restoring their campuses, programs, and enrollment.

Presents the preparation and rebuilding experiences of three state education leaders whose systems endured recent natural disasters.

Discusses rebuilding of schools after natural disasters, covering details of the assessment and rebuilding of facilities, mental health, information systems, communications, and memorials.

Reviews the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans schools, as well as obstacles to their recovery. Also presented are the coping and rebuilding experiences of a school board member, principal, community activist, college president, student, and charter school principal.

Describes the East Baton Rouge School District's response to Hurricane Katrina, which included absorbing 8,000 displaced students into a system operating under strict court-enforced capacity limits.

Reviews demographic losses, insurance increases, temporary structures, and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi and Alabama schools.

Reviews the extent of Hurricane Katrina damage to New Orleans schools, their enrollment, and their tax base. Competing plans for restructuring the schools, and especially those that were taken over by the state before the storm due to poor performance, are described, as are possible corporate contributions to rebuilding.

Describes the extent of Hurricane Katrina's damage to Dillard University, as well as plans to demolish some buildings, rebuild with elevated structures, and revisit the entire campus plan.

Discusses various combinations of traditional and charter schools envisioned in the restoration of the New Orleans public school system following Hurricane Katrina, as well as the struggle between supporters of competing visions.

Outlines recovery goals and strategies for areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, emphasizing a multiregional plan that includes coordinated multicounty oversight of construction, creation of joint-use facilities and cross-curricular K-12 schools with flexible design for future conversion, modular buildings, continual communication with the public, re-usable design prototypes and systems construction, design improvements for stronger storm resistance, and use of available commercial facilities for educational purposes.

Reports on assessment of storm damage to schools following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, citing the possible "silver lining" of obtaining better and more educationally appropriate facilities in the rebuild. Also described are federal efforts to replace property taxes lost in the region and lessons learned about the particular ways hurricanes assault buildings.

Presents personal narratives from facility managers at New Orleans area universities citing their experiences before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. Experiences in with safeguarding the students, and assessing and recovering from damage are described.

Presents an overview of the Federal Emergency Management Association's findings and recommendations, following evaluations of roof performance in three 2005 hurricanes. Roofing equipment, membrane systems, asphalt shingles, metal panels, and tile are covered.

Discusses the importance of communication, insurance, return to class, and raising of community morale after natural disasters, citing examples from storms that struck Nebraska and Florida.

Before a school district embarks on a major renovation project, it must determine whether it is better to replace the existing facility with a new school. While sometimes the cost of replacing outdated systems, upgrading life and safety deficiencies, and accommodating program expansions within existing K-12 schools far exceeds the cost of building a new facility, there may be good reasons for to renovate an older building rather than build a new one. This discusses the question of character, health and safety upgrades, system upgrades, electrical systems, program upgrades, and aesthetic gains.

Explains the physical and functional building conditions that are examined in a facility assessment. In a physical condition assessment, the mechanical and electrical systems, structural integrity, building envelope, hazardous materials, accessibility, sustainability, and energy use will be examined. In a function condition assessment, the educational standards, technology, acoustics, lighting, and program suitability will be examined. The utilities infrastructure and landscaping is considered in a multi-building, campus-wide assessment.

Discusses ways of comparing costs of renovation and maintenance of a facility versus building new. A detailed table provides an itemized example of how capital renewal costs might compare to new construction costs. In this case, as in most cases, the cost of renovating and maintaing an existing building that has been properly cared for is less than the cost of new construction.

Explains what a facilities assessment consists of, what it measures, the benefits of engaging a professional, and how long it might take.

Describes a process for evaluating a building's envelope (roof, walls, windows, waterproofing, and structure). Steps are grouped into the following categories: building history, field inspection, access methods, identifying defects, testing methods, and engineering analysis.

Discusses how handheld pen computing devices and specialized software systems can make educational facility assessment more efficient. Explores how these tools can be used for information management and for developing short and long term maintenance and capital improvement plans.

Discusses the methodology and benefits of the Building Condition Assessment Survey (BCAS) approach for evaluating school building conditions for long-range capital planning. The level of survey detail needed and its scope are examined as is BCAS preplanning tips.

Explains how a comprehensive analysis of school facilities' needs can help persuade decision makers to support budget requests. Steps discussed include establishing repair costs, measuring building conditions, forecasting future costs, determining the long-term budget, and communicating consequences.

Recounts what school district facilities managers did and what they learned from the flood and fire disaster in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Examines the taxing and complex cleanup effort, which required officials to scramble to locate sufficient architectural and construction crews to meet repair demands. Identifies unforeseen problems that leaders faced, such as toxic biological growth. Also describes the damage and repair expenses.

Discusses common weather-related hazards (floods, windstorms, and winter storms) and provides some steps administrators can take to protect their schools. Suggests administrators periodically assess their school's commitment to loss control, housekeeping, suitable building construction and reinforcement, sprinkler systems, water supply, emergency-response teams, regular inspections, building and equipment maintenance, and special-hazards-protection system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presents the second version of its free software tool that helps school districts evaluate and manage their school facilities for key environmental, safety, and health issues. HealthySEAT is designed to be customized and used by district-level staff to conduct voluntary self-assessments of their school facilities and to track and manage information on environmental conditions school by school. EPA has also included critical elements of all of its regulatory and voluntary programs for schools, as well as web links to more detailed information. Enhancements for Version 2 include user-defined custom checklists, custom notification letters, additional and updated reports and forms, new navigation improvements, e-mail functionality, changes in terminology, and additional documentation.

McGraw-Hill Construction is deploying information resources to assist in the recovery and rebuilding in the recently Hurricane affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas. The Hurricane Resources Directory is a new online service created to connect Hurricane affected areas with the architects, engineers, building product manufacturers, machinery and equipment companies, contractors and other related services they will need to get the job done.

NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on assessing whether to renovate and modernize existing school buildings in need of repair or construct new facilities.

NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on assessing school and university buildings for safety and security purposes.

NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on assessing school and university buildings for construction and repair planning and facilities management purposes. Results of conditions assessments are also included.

NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on preparing school facilities and campuses for wind, earthquake, and flood hazards.