Page 10 - spaces4learning, Spring 2021

spaces4learning 2021 FACILITIES & CONSTRUCTION BRIEF
SURVEY ON PK-12 SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
Will you COMPLETE any construction projects in 2021?
No construction scheduled for completion Major renovations/modernizations Additions to existing building(s) New/replacement building(s)
0%
36.79%
51.89%
10%
20%
30%
37.74% 36.79%
40%
50% 60% 70%
Will you START any construction projects in 2021?
No construction scheduled to start Major renovations/modernizations Additions to existing building(s) New/replacement building(s)
0%
10%
20%
30%
35.85%
49.06%
33.96% 35.85%
40%
50% 60% 70%
Survey Respondents: 106 PK-12 school districts responded to this survey among 42 states.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• 70.75% of respondents indicated their institution had completed construction in 2020, up from 59% in last year’s survey.
• 53.2% of respondents indicated they will complete construction projects in 2021.
• 64.15% of districts reported they will start new construction projects in 2021. That’s up from 56% in last year’s survey.
• Major renovations/modernization projects and additions were the major focus of projects completed in 2020; renovations/modernization dominate plans for 2021.
• Districts that reported that fewer funds for construction were available jumped from 28% in 2019 to 41.41% in 2020.
• Most district-level respondents —67.93%— indicated they believe that there will either be no change or fewer funds available for construction projects in 2021.
OTHER ISSUES FACING INSTITUTIONS
• Funding
• COVID-19-related restrictions
• Staffing issues related to COVID-19 • COVID-19-related delays in delivery
of materials
• COVID-19-related interruptions of
construction activities
• COVID-19-related factory shut-
downs impacting the cost and
availability of products
• Other slowdowns related to
COVID-19
• Reluctance to issue bonds to voters • Increased costs of supplies and
goods
• Finding qualified bidders
• Finding suitable contractors
• Increased costs of construction
• Getting approvals for new construction • Resolving purchase orders in a
timely manner
• Trade shortages
• Permits and changing county
requirements
• Scheduling problems
• Regulatory issues
• Too much emphasis on saving
money versus building facilities that will have the greatest impact on students
• Difficulty in keeping up with rapid changes in technology
• Communication with IT departments • Security needs
• Lack of space
• Poor prioritization
10 SPRING 2021 | spaces4learning.com
Did you COMPLETE any construction projects in 2020?
No construction completed in 2020 Major renovations/modernizations Additions to existing building(s) New/replacement building(s)
0%
29.25%
34.91%
40% 50% 60% 70%
51.89% 40.57%
10%
20%
30%
What is your opinion on the funds available for construction compared to last year?
41.51% 22.64% 9.43%
26.42%
Fewer funds are available
No change in available funds
More funds are becoming available Don’t know