Effective facilities and operations management

Many school administrators and leaders may be unfamiliar with the intricate details of facilities or operations management. Managing the school’s campus is an important aspect of long-term school survival as your physical plant is both a major financial asset and a potential source of great expense. Operations teams, from housekeeping departments responsible for emptying trash cans and cleaning up spills, to HR departments responsible for employee contracts and foreigner residence permits, are invisible yet invaluable contributors to school effectiveness and community morale.

For help in any of the following areas, Dodge Consultants, LLC can provide assistance and guidance:

When was your school’s last safety inspection? Are your students enjoying a safe learning environment, or are they surrounded by attractive nuisances that could pose a risk to their wellbeing?

Does your school have a comprehensive plan to maintain your physical plant? Have you created a strategic plan to identify aging infrastructure? Is your school budget planning setting aside funds to pay for essential projects?

Do you want to expand your current campus but don’t know where to start? Do you have in-house project management resources necessary to run large construction projects?

Is your busing program serving the needs of your community? What risks and liabilities do you face when students travel on field trips and other school activities?

Do your school food services operations meet your community’s needs? Are you satisfied with the offerings and nutritional value that are provided? Are food safety standard operating procedures clear, and do your food services employees follow them?

Does your school have standard operating procedures for your housekeeping, facilities, and maintenance personnel? Do those procedures help your employees work safely, effectively, and efficiently?

Does your finance department have the necessary checks and balances in place to reduce fiduciary risks? Are your school’s current financial operations in line with your written policies and procedures?

Does your HR team have policies in place to manage employee disagreements? Is your employee grievance policy fair and properly documented?

Is your emergency preparedness plan up to date? Do your faculty and staff know their responsibilities when faced with different situations? Does your school have a clear crisis management plan that can be led by any member of your central administration team? Do your parents know what to expect in case of disaster? Have you properly prepared a communications plan to receive, disseminate, process, and respond to information from multiple sources?

Let Dodge Consultants, LLC help in these areas and more to ensure faculty and students can do their best teaching and learning in a safe, secure, and thriving school environment.