Virtual Fall Summit 2025: Exploring Hot Topics in School Facilities Operations and Management
Creating healthier, more sustainable schools and colleges through best-in-class facilities management requires having the right tools and technologies, driving transformation, and effectively adapting to new innovations, external factors, and market changes.
In order to use facility operations to achieve efficient operations, enhance learning and healthy, green schools, institutions need to be aware of and adaptable to innovations, external factors, and other changes.
The Virtual Fall Summit offered opportunities for attendees to:
- Discuss the key challenges and opportunities related to championing health and sustainability, especially in times of increased uncertainty and declining budgets
- Discuss best practices for effective staff engagement and workforce planning
- Learn about innovative models for managing building stock with increasing deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure alongside modern buildings, and
- Explore emerging opportunities for safely incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into facility operations and maintenance
| Date | Topic and Link to Recap | Facilitators |
| Wednesday, October 15th, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Central | Summit Kickoff Virtual Happy Hour | Sara Porter, Healthy Green Schools & Colleges |
| Thursday, October 16th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central | Challenges, Opportunities, and Insights from the 2025-2026 School Year | Sara Porter, Healthy Green Schools & Colleges |
| Thursday, October 23rd, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central | Best Practices for Effective Staff Engagement and Workforce Planning | Gene Woodard, Retired Director of Facilities – Building Services, University of Washington Tracy Enger, Program Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| Thursday, October 30th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central | Innovative Models for Managing Building Stock with Increasing Deferred Maintenance and Aging Infrastructure | Katherine Walsh, Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Program Director, Boston Public Schools Rob Christlieb, Executive Director of Facility Operations, Chicago Public Schools Todd Kerzie, Senior Director of Services, Facilities Management Division, University of Georgia |
| Thursday, November 6th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central | Emerging Opportunities for Safely Incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Into Facility Operations and Maintenance | Craig Park FSMPS, Associate AIA, Director of Digital Experience Design, Clark & Enersen |