In this paper, the 21st Century School Fund and the Center for Cities and Schools at the University of California Berkeley provide a conceptual frame for the joint use of PK-12 public school buildings. There is a growing conversation about and demand for joint use as a way to provide services to children and families in convenient locations,…

Ways of preventing school buildings from standing empty include finding alternative uses within the school system, leasing the buildings, and selling the buildings. All uses should be measured by their impact on the community around the school. (Author/IRT)

This article explores a major opportunity that universities have to capitalize on their existing property portfolio to both earn additional revenue and enhance the quality of the student and staff experience: the creation of university-linked retirement communities. We examine this opportunity in the context of demographic and educational trends…

Encourages school officials to find ways of using surplus space in school buildings. One alternative to closing schools may be to lease space in operating schools to businesses. (IRT)

Some school systems are easing their financial burdens by turning to land development, leasing oil rights to school owned land, and involving themselves in other creative ways of raising money. (Author/IRT)

Despite thousands of public building closures in the last decade, many public agencies are renting privately owned space. Interagency use of public facilities is one response to this problem; however, to overcome legal, political, economic, and social barriers, agencies must learn to cooperate and communicate better. (MCG)

Argues against closing schools and presents a list of uses for the excess space caused by declining enrollments. The uses include offering space to the community, creating teacher training centers, creating senior citizen centers, and offering space to private enterprises that would participate in on-the-job training programs for students. (IRT)

The "turf" concerns of educators have hampered school facility design that provides housing for both school and community programs. Community center schools are defined. Staffing problems of human services and schools in a co-location, factors in the project's success, the facility, security, and current directions of community center…

Shows how community education influences school building design concepts. (Author/DW)

Describes the findings of a Canadian commission which inquired into the effects of declining enrollments on matters affecting school buildings, school curriculum, the teaching force, and the wider community. Also includes recommendations for action to the Minister of Education. (CT)

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has set up a program for educational building to help promote innovation and change in current school building practices. Information is exchanged by (1) short leaflets summarizing emerging issues or innovating activity in different countries, (2) indepth studies of major issues, and…

Many communities have more school space than they need, while demands for community-based services are growing. Reuse of surplus schools as community school centers is an option worth exploring. (Author/MLF)

Asserting that as Georgia moves into the 21st century, its public education sector must examine alternative means of utilizing and sharing buildings and facilities, this paper explores the alternatives to relying on taxes alone to meet the ever-increasing needs for additional and improved school buildings, as well as ways to reduce the need for…

Declining enrollments are leaving many districts with space they no longer need. The conversion of surplus school buildings to new uses can often provide communities with new vitality. Examples show unused schools converted for use as apartments, shops, and office space for public agencies. (Author/MLF)

Describes several schools that have embraced the trend toward smaller schools and shared facilities, resulting in higher student achievement and improved morale for students, faculty, and parents. (EV)